Following the deaths of her brothers, NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew, 29, Katie Gaudreau has cancelled her wedding, which was scheduled for Friday afternoon.
It is believed the Gaudreau brothers were riding bicycles the night before their sister Katie’s wedding when the fatal accident occurred just before 8:30 p.m. in Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey.
The two were struck and killed by another vehicle driven by Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, who was believed to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter without bail or bond. The wedding cancellation was first reported by Page six.
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to police he had consumed “5-6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the back of Johnny and Matthew on Thursday night.
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew tragically died Thursday
Katie Gaudreau has canceled her Friday wedding, less than a day after her brothers’ deaths
It is believed that he and his brother Matthew were murdered on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding to her partner Devin Joyce (pictured: Katie and Devin rehearsing for their wedding)
The wedding ceremony between Katie and her fiancé, Kevin Joyce, was scheduled to take place at the parish of St Mary – St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Gloucester City and was scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m., according to the couple’s page on The Knot.
A six-hour cocktail party and reception was planned for Friday evening at The Lucy by Cescaphe in Philadelphia.
It is not yet known when the wedding will be postponed.
Officers also allege that Higgins showed signs of intoxication and admitted to drinking “prior to and while operating his vehicle.”
While smelling of alcohol, Higgins allegedly told them that “his alcohol consumption contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.”
The Gaudreau brothers were to be the groomsmen at Katie’s wedding.
Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children: one-year-old daughter Noa and son Johnny, who was born just six months ago.
Meredith is believed to be a bridesmaid at her sister-in-law’s wedding this weekend.