Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s Sister Katie Speaks Out After Tragic Accident in Salem County, New Jersey

OLDMANS TWP., New Jersey — The sister of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau paid tribute to him and her brother Matthew in an Instagram post Monday following last week’s fatal accident.

Katie Gaudreau, who was due to get married the day after the accident, shared a photo of her family and a message:

“To know these two was to love these two. I have no words to express the bond my family shared. The whole world knows there would never have been a John without Matty, and there would never have been a Matty without John. The absolute best big brothers a little girl could ever ask for. This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I will take the best care of Mom, Dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your children.”

Johnny and Matthew were killed last week in Salem County, New Jersey, when they were hit by a drunk driver while riding their bikes near their family home.

Matthew Gaudreau, 29, was a hockey coach at a boys high school, Gloucester Catholic in New Jersey, and was also expecting a child. His wife, Madeline, is expecting their first child in December.

“The best 14 years of my life. I will cherish these years and you for the rest of my life,” Madeline wrote on Instagram on Sunday.

According to police, the brothers were riding their bikes along County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8:30 p.m. Thursday when they were struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey. The crash occurred when the driver tried to pass a slower vehicle on the right and hit Gaudreau in the rear.

According to a police affidavit, Higgins allegedly told an officer who responded to the scene that he had had “five to six beers” before the crash. Higgins failed a field sobriety test, according to the report.

Higgins was taken to Salem County Correctional Facility and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. During a court appearance Friday afternoon via video, he was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing Thursday.

Action News has learned that Higgins is a field artillery officer assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters. He is a part-time traditional drill sergeant and was not on duty at the time of the incident.

The New Jersey Army National Guard could not comment on Higgins’ service, but released this statement on the fatal accident: “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” said Col. Yvonne L. Mays, acting adjutant general of New Jersey. “Our hearts go out to all affected and we share the Gaudreau family’s sadness.”

We also learned that Higgins works at the Gaudenzia rehabilitation center. The nonprofit identified Higgins as an employee on Saturday but said he was immediately placed on leave following the fatal incident.