Dramatic new footage shows Sean Higgins, suspected killer of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, moments after fatal crash

New Jersey police have released dramatic body camera footage of the nervous moments following the crash that claimed the lives of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew on August 29.

Sean Higgins, 43, suspected of being a drunk driver and facing up to two decades in prison over the tragedy, is seen undergoing field sobriety tests after admitting to drinking earlier in the day.

“I drank some beers,” Higgins told police before admitting to “five or six” Miller Lites.

Ultimately, he would claim that he hadn’t “drank one in about two hours.”

Prosecutors accused Higgins of being legally drunk when his vehicle collided with the Gaudreau brothers as they were riding their bikes on a country road in suburban Philadelphia. The father of two recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.087 – slightly above the New Jersey state limit of 0.08. Higgins faces up to 20 years in prison after being charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular death.

The fatal crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were set to serve as groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding. The brothers, who played together at Boston College, have since been honored in Calgary and Columbus, where Johnny played professionally.

The newly released police video, provided to Philadelphia’s ABC 6, includes footage of a handcuffed Higgins being read his Miranda rights before asking, “Is everyone OK over there?” What happened?’

Although he remains cooperative with police, Higgins appears nervous in the video, admitting several times that he is “freaked out.”

He also warns officers about recent knee surgery that could potentially impact his field sobriety tests.

“Is this affecting you right now?” » An officer is heard asking.

“I’m (inaudible) nearby,” Higgins responded, apparently indicating he may be limping.

“At any time, if you are in pain, let me know,” the officer said.

Higgins struggles with some instructions and can be heard asking officers to repeat themselves.

A frustrated officer finally told Higgins to “turn around and put his hands behind his back” before handcuffing him.

Apparently confused, Higgins asked what happened, to which an officer told him they would talk about it at the station.

Higgins is based in Woodstown, New Jersey, where he reportedly lives with his wife and their two young daughters.

The father of two had served in the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Kosovo and was promoted to major during a visit by state leaders to the former Yugoslav republic in 2019 when he thanked his family for their support during his military career, DailyMail.com has learned.

He also served as Regional Command East’s civil-military cooperation chief during this assignment, although it is unclear whether he is still enlisted in the U.S. military.

The Army Major is a field artillery officer assigned to the New Jersey Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, and works part-time as a traditional drill status guard.

A New Jersey judge extended the deadline for prosecutors to seek an indictment last month while Higgins remains in prison.

His attorney, Matthew Portella, called Higgins a “loving father of two daughters” who “made a horrible decision that night,” as ABC 6 quoted him.

New Jersey State Troopers described the crash as occurring after Higgins attempted to pass two slower vehicles on State Route 551 in Oldmans Township, Salem County.

“Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedal cyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old man from Carneys Point, New Jersey, and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old man from Pedricktown, New Jersey , were traveling north on County Route 551, near the highway’s fog line,” the release states.

“Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old man from Woodstown, New Jersey, was traveling north on CR 551 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and an SUV. Higgins attempted to pass the slower sedan and SUV, entered the southbound travel lanes, passed the slower sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound travel lanes when the SUV in front of Higgins spun out. moved to the middle of the road. roadway, dividing the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedal boats traveling north on the right side of the roadway.

The Flames welcomed the Columbus Blue Jackets to Calgary, where hockey quickly became a priority as both teams paid tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

A former teammate of Johnny’s, Columbus’ Sean Monahan, was seen crying during a faceoff ceremony before Tuesday’s game at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where players on both sides struggled to contain their emotions .

The brothers’ family was also present at the ceremony, where Johnny’s widow, Meredith, was seen holding one of their two children. She revealed in September that she was pregnant with their third.

“It’s been really nice,” a tearful Meredith told Sportsnet before Tuesday’s game, which Calgary won 3-0. “I really wanted everyone to see the kids. Everyone has been so warm, it’s like you’ve never left when you’re here for a few days.

“Some of the best fans in the world are here in Calgary,” the brothers’ father, Guy, told Sportsnet ahead of the “13 Forever” tribute, which is a nod to Johnny’s jersey number.

Tuesday marked the second time in the last two weeks that the two teams met and the first meeting in Calgary, where the forward known as “Johnny Hockey” became a star and beloved Flames teammate .