New Jersey authorities have released audio tapes of 911 calls made by witnesses in the moments of distraught after a tragic hit-and-run 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 brother Matthew, 29, were riding their bikes on the night of August 29 when suspected drunk driver Sean Higgins, 44, allegedly mowed them down on a rural road. Salem County after passing a vehicle that had moved to make room for them.
One person who called 911 said, “I witnessed a hit-and-run involving two people on bicycles.'' NJ.com reportsfiled a transcript requesting the release of audio and video tapes.
In the audio, the caller struggles against the darkness and initially struggles to find the pair. Callers describe confusion trying to locate the brothers.
“Is anyone hurt?” the dispatcher probes.
“Yes, we're both on the ground,” the caller quickly answered.
Other 911 callers were also unable to provide information about the brother's health due to poor visibility.
“It’s too dark to see,” the caller said.
After police arrived at the scene, body camera footage showed a state trooper questioning Higgins.
Higgins appears calm in the video, smoking a cigarette. He told police he had just returned from a trip to Taco Bell.
“Where were you before Taco Bell?” the officer asks.
“My house,” he answered.
Higgins later admitted: “I had a beer, but I haven't had one in the last couple of hours.” It was probably about an hour after the accident. ”
Higgins struggled to complete a field sobriety test and told police he was “freaking out.”
“You said it's been about an hour since you last drank, right?” the officer asks. Higgins said he has drunk “about five or six” Miller Lites since “about noon today.”
After his arrest, Higgins asked the officer: I mean, what happened?
“We'll talk about that when we get to the station,” the officer replied, leading Higgins to a waiting police car.
Both Gaudreau brothers died at the scene. My sister Katie postponed her wedding scheduled for the next morning.
Higgins is charged with two counts of death by motor vehicle, reckless driving, possession of an open container and having alcohol in a vehicle.
In September, Gaudreau's relatives sought a court order to prevent the records from being released. This order was lifted in October.
Higgins, a major in the New Jersey Army National Guard, could face up to 10 years in prison.
He also worked at the Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Treatment Network.
