The alleged drunk driver arrested in the deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother has been placed on leave from his job as a financial officer at a rehab center, the company told The Post.
“We received the heartbreaking news regarding the tragic crash that took the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, along with charges brought against Sean Higgins,” Gaudenzia Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers said in a Saturday statement. “Mr. Higgins, an employee of Gaudenzia, was immediately placed on leave.
“We extend our sympathies to the Gaudreau family during this incredibly difficult time,” the company wrote.
Sean Higgins, 43, of Pilesgrove, NJ, a married father of two young daughters, has worked at the Norristown, Pa., company since September, according to his LinkedIn profile, which also lists him as a decorated US Army major who served in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Kosovo, he wrote in his profile on the networking site.
He was promoted to the rank of major during a state leadership visit to the former Yugoslavian republic in 2019 where he and another major gave credit to their families for supporting them in their military careers.
Higgins was allegedly drunk, police said, when he mowed down seven-time all-star Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew while they were out for a bike ride on the eve of their sister’s wedding.
The Columbus Blue Jackets left winger, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were biking on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township around 8 p.m. when Higgins crashed into them from behind, the New Jersey State Police said.
Higgins told police he was attempting to pass two other vehicles when he struck the brothers, who were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the criminal complaint.
The trooper who responded to the crash detected alcohol on Higgins’ breath, and the driver allegedly admitted he had “five or six beers” before the accident, cops said.
Higgins was arrested on two counts of vehicular homicide under suspicion of drunk driving and was ordered held behind bars until a Sept. 5 detention hearing.
Follow the NY Post’s coverage on NHL star Johnny Gaudreau’s tragic death at 31:
- Johnny Gaudreau’s brother Matthew was a dad-to-be when the siblings were killed by alleged drunk driver
- Johnny Gaudreau’s wife honors NHL star with moving tribute after devastating alleged drunk driver crash: ‘Best years of my life’
- Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, brother struck and killed by car while riding bikes a day before sister’s wedding: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’
According to Higgins’ LinkedIn, he was most recently director of financial operations at Gaudenzia, an addiction treatment center in Bristol, PA.
Higgins also indicated on LinkedIn that he had been in the New Jersey Army National Guard since 2008 and was still active. The Department of Defense did not respond to an email from The Post.
Higgins’ wife and parents could not be reached for comment.
An irate woman stormed out of Higgins’ parents’ home in Oldmans Township and repeatedly screamed “no comment” at a Post reporter in the street on Saturday evening.
A next-door neighbor to Higgins’ parents, who declined to give his name, told The Post that Higgins “is just a regular guy.” He said he did not even recognize his uncharacteristically grizzled face in the mugshot when he heard the news.
“The family, they are great people. It’s sad. It’s tragic I would say,” he said.
Both brothers were also star hockey players at Boston College, where they were coached by Jerry York.
Johnny Gaudreau’s widow shared a moving tribute to the late hockey player on her social media Saturday morning.
“Thank you for the best years of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau wrote on Instagram alongside a carousel of photos of her and Gaudreau over the years.
“Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much,” the grieving wife added.
“You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true. I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
