Authorities in New Jersey have released audio tapes of witnesses’ 911 calls in the frantic moments after a tragic collision that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother this summer.
Investigators also released body camera footage Friday from state troopers who responded to the scene in Oldmans Township in late August.
The late NHL forward, 31, and his 29-year-old brother, Matthew, were bicycling on the evening of August 29 when 44-year-old Sean Higgins, a suspected drunk driver, allegedly mowed them down on a rural road in Salem County after passing a vehicle that had been moved to make room for them.
“I just witnessed a collision between two people on bicycles,” said a caller to 911. reports NJ.comwho filed registration requests for the release of the audio and video tapes.
In the audio, callers struggle with darkness and initially have difficulty locating the couple. Callers describe chaos as they try to locate the brothers.
“Is anyone hurt?” a coordinator investigates.
“Yes, they are both on the floor,” the caller quickly answers.
Other callers to 911, again due to poor visibility, are unable to provide information about the brothers’ physical condition.
“It’s dark, we can’t see it,” the caller says.
After police arrive on the scene, body camera footage shows state troopers interrogating Higgins.
In the video, Higgins is seen smoking a cigarette and appearing calm. He tells police he was returning from a trip to Taco Bell.
“Where were you before Taco Bell?” the soldier asks.
“At my house,” he answers.
Higgins later admits that he had been drinking “beers, but I haven’t had one in two hours. Probably an hour or so since the accident.
Higgins tells police he “freaked out” – as he struggles to complete field sobriety tests.
“You said it’s been about an hour since your last drink?” the soldier asks. Higgins says he’s had “about five or six” Miller Lites since “around noon today.”
After his arrest, Higgins asks the officer, “Is everyone okay there?” I mean, what happened?”
“We’ll talk about that when we get to the station,” the officer replies, then leads Higgins to a waiting patrol car.
Both Gaudreau brothers died at the scene. Their sister Katie postponed her wedding, which was scheduled for the next morning.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of manslaughter, reckless driving, possession of an open container and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
In September, Gaudreau’s relatives asked for a court order to prevent the documents’ disclosure. The order was lifted in October.
Higgins, a major in the New Jersey Army National Guard, faces up to 10 years in prison.
He also worked for a substance abuse treatment network in Pennsylvania.
