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    • Current information on the legal case, investigations
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    Current information on the legal case, investigations

    Kathleen William Posted on

    Six weeks after Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were killed in New Jersey, the investigation into their deaths continues.

    Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew, 29, died Aug. 29 after being struck by a Jeep while cycling. They were in town for their sister's wedding, which was scheduled for the following day.

    The brothers were driving along the side of the road in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, near their childhood home.

    What happened in Johnny Gaudreau's accident?

    New Jersey State Police said 43-year-old Sean Higgins was the third car behind the brothers when he tried to pass the other two vehicles on the left around 8 p.m.

    One of the vehicles, an SUV, that was closest to the brothers began to move to the left to make room for the brothers. According to police and the New Jersey District Attorney's Office, Higgins accelerated around the right side of the SUV and drove into the Gaudreau brothers, both of whom died at the scene.

    Police said Higgins told officers he drank “five to six” beers before and during the drive. At a court hearing in September, prosecutors said Higgins' blood alcohol level was determined by a blood test to be 0.087%, above the legal limit of 0.08%.

    Salem County Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Flynn said Higgins was exceeding the posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour, and Higgins told state troopers he “didn't even see the bikes.”

    Higgins is charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter and several traffic violations.

    Who called 911 after the Johnny Gaudreau accident?

    Among other things, New Jersey authorities have not released the 911 calls made at the scene.

    The estates of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau have asked a New Jersey court to prohibit the release of those calls, as well as any accident reports, investigative reports and autopsy reports requested by media outlets, including The Dispatch.

    A New Jersey judge ruled that the records could be released, but state police and a local prosecutor have both indicated that releasing the records is still unlikely. New Jersey law allows for victim privacy considerations.

    What else do we know about the crash?

    According to Flynn, Higgins' wife said her husband started drinking at home around 3 p.m. He said he was upset after a phone call with a relative, left his house and drove around in his Jeep Grand Cherokee during a two-hour phone call with a friend.

    Flynn said there was no immediate indication that the Gaudreau brothers did anything that contributed to the crash.

    More: Columbus Blue Jackets Heal Together From Johnny Gaudreau Tragedy: 'We Must Play'

    Higgins, whose wife also told investigators that he often drove aggressively, stopped the vehicle directly in front of him, backed up, slowed down and then rejoined at a high rate of speed before passing on the left, Flynn said.

    Higgins made statements on recorded phone calls from the prison where he is being held expressing regret over what happened and making admissions about the facts of the case, Flynn said.

    The estimated speed at which Higgins was traveling was not disclosed, although Flynn said the two drivers Higgins was trying to pass said they were going about 55 miles per hour, suggesting Higgins was traveling faster .

    The extent of the injuries suffered by both Gaudreau brothers has not been disclosed.

    When does Sean Higgins have to appear in court again?

    Higgins' next court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday. However, that court date, a preliminary arraignment hearing, will be postponed, according to New Jersey court staff.

    In New Jersey, these conferences are designed for the parties to discuss the possibility of resolving a case before a grand jury considers the evidence through a plea agreement.

    If a resolution is not reached at the pre-arraignment conference, a grand jury will review the case for possible indictment.

    How do the Columbus Blue Jackets remember Johnny Gaudreau?

    The Blue Jackets have added a reminder to the signage outside Nationwide Arena and plan to honor both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in a pregame ceremony Tuesday before the team's home opener against the Florida Panthers.

    The team will wear patches on its jerseys throughout the season and a helmet decal honoring the brothers. Other NHL teams will wear helmet decals during games on Oct. 24 to honor the brothers.

    At Tuesday's game, the Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers will wear warmup jerseys with the number 13 and the words “Gaudreau” on the back. Blue Jackets players will have their jerseys signed and then those warmups will be auctioned off in a raffle. Proceeds will go to the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, established by the Gaudreau family to honor the brothers after their deaths.

    Guy Gaudreau: Before the Columbus Blue Jackets' home game, Johnny Gaudreau's father steps onto the ice

    The game day 50/50 raffle and a game auction featuring one-of-a-kind team-signed items and select items signed by Johnny Gaudreau will also benefit the Gaudreau Brothers Foundation.

    More: Blue Jackets fan podcast and clothing brand raises over $90,000 for the Gaudreau family

    Pins with the same design as the Blue Jackets helmet decals will also be available for sale at the Blue Jackets Foundation kiosk at Nationwide Arena.

    The team regularly invites Johnny Gaudreau's father, former coach Guy Gaudreau, to training. The Blue Jackets have a new Player of the Game award, a dog-eared hat with a tail, a nod to Johnny Gaudreau's affectionate nickname for his teammates. His jersey will hang in a locker at every Blue Jackets home and away game this season. And Blue Jackets players rallied behind the Gaudreaus in late September, gathering locally to celebrate the second birthday of Johnny Gaudreau's daughter Noa and sending the family photos of their meeting.

    Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announced that she was pregnant with the couple's third child during her eulogy at the brothers' joint funeral.

    Matthew Gaudreau's wife Madeline is also pregnant and expecting a boy in late 2024, who the couple planned to name Tripp.

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    Kathleen William
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