(Tribune News Service) — The driver who allegedly was intoxicated when he hit and killed National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, is a high-ranking military officer also employed at a substance abuse treatment network headquartered in Pennsylvania.
Gaudenzia, which operates a collection of treatment facilities in the Northeast, confirmed Sean Higgins, 43, of Pilesgrove Township, works for the nonprofit company, adding that he was placed on leave in light of the charges against him.
Higgins is also a major in the New Jersey Army National Guard, where he has served his 2008, according to his LinkedIn professional profile. A military source on Sunday confirmed his background to NJ Advance Media.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were bicycling in Oldmans Township, Salem County, near their parents’ home Thursday night when they were killed. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The brothers grew up in Salem County, starring on youth hockey teams before high school. They were preparing to appear as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding in the Philadelphia area on Friday.
“We received the heartbreaking news regarding the tragic crash that took the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, along with the charges brought against Sean Higgins,” Gaudenzia, which has run treatment centers since 1968, said in a statement. “We extend our sympathies to the Gaudreau family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Higgins is Gaudeniza’s director of financial operations, according to his Linkedin profile. The nonprofit did not elaborate on his job title in its statement and did not return a request by NJ Advance Media for comment.
When not working for Gaudenzia, Higgins is also a major in the New Jersey Army National Guard, his profile on the professional social media site says.
“We are profoundly saddened by this tragedy,” said Col. Yvonne L. Mays, Acting Adjutant General of New Jersey, in a statement. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected, and we share in the grief of the Gaudreau family.”
Higgins is a part-time traditional drill status guardsman, according to a source familiar with his military background. He was not on duty at the time of the crash, the source said.
According to charging documents, Higgins told police he consumed five to six beers before driving his car northbound on Pennsville Auburn Road. He had tried to pass another SUV on the right when he hit the brothers, authorities said.
Charging documents say Higgins acknowledged to police that the alcohol “contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.”
Higgins remains jailed on two counts of second-degree death by auto. He was also issued citations for driving while intoxicated, consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, improper passing, reckless driving and making an unsafe lane change.
Salem County prosecutors will argue for his continued confinement at a detention hearing Thursday. Court records do not show if Higgins has retained an attorney.
Johnny Gaudreau, often known by the moniker “Johnny Hockey,” was preparing to enter his third season as a winger with the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a multimillion-dollar contract. He became a breakout star with the Calgary Flames, who drafted the undersized player in 2011. He earned seven All-Star appearances in 11 NHL seasons and was a driving force behind the Flames’ playoff runs of the last decade.
Matthew Gaudreau also played professional hockey for the Worcester Railers, a minor league team. He was recently the hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic High School, of which both brothers are alumni.
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(The Columbus Dispatch/TNS)
