911 calls from crash come up in investigation into Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s deaths

The emotions are still raw when it comes to the deaths of Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew, who were stuck and killed by a drunk driver while riding bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, on August 29, on the eve of their sister’s wedding, where both brothers were to be groomsmen.

Earlier this week, the Blue Jackets honoured the Gaudreau brothers, and raised a banner for Johnny Gaudreau ahead of their home opener against the Florida Panthers. Every player on both teams wore Gaudreau jerseys during the pregame warmups and the Blue Jackets put together a memorial inside Nationwide Arena. Shortly before puck drop, the Jackets shared a touching video tribute to Johnny and a recorded message of his wife Meredith encouraging fans not to be sad but to instead be inspired by her late husband’s life was shown.

When taking the opening faceoff, Columbus did it with only four players on the ice, leaving the left wing - Gaudreau’s old position - vacant. Both teams then let 13 seconds elapse in further tribute with the crowd chanting “Johnny Hockey.”

Almost at the same time, new details emerged from the investigation into the deaths of the brothers as the information was to have been presented in front of Superior Court Judge Michael J. Silvanio during a pre-indictment conference originally set for Tuesday, but that has now be rescheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12. We still got to know more details on Higgins’ condition and behaviour as he took the road and struck the brothers, per the Columbus Dispatch.

It suggested that Higgins was driving over the 50 miles per hour speed limit. Two drivers Higgins attempted to pass both claimed they were driving about 55 mph, with the implication Higgins was traveling faster than that. He told state troopers he “didn’t even see the bikes.” Prosecutors said Higgins’ blood alcohol level was registered at 0.087%, over the legal limit of 0.08% and it was also revealed that he had been drinking at home about 3 p.m after getting upset by a phone call with his mother.

One thing that could now become public are the 911 calls at the scene. New Jersey authorities have not released them, and the estates of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau have filed a request with a New Jersey court to bar the release of those calls. The estate has also filed the same request for any crash reports, investigative reports and autopsy reports that media outlets have requested. While a judge ruled the records could be released, state police and a local prosecutor’s office have both indicated they are likely to remain sealed. Therefore, the extent of the injuries both Gaudreau brothers suffered has not been released. They both died at the scene.

That’s good news for the family, who’s already been dealing with a lot.

Higgins is charged with two counts of death, and also charged with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, meaning Higgins could face up to 20 years in prison.

Johnny was 31 years old at the time of his death, while Matthew was 29. Meredith Gaudreau is pregnant with the couple’s third child as the couple shared daughter Noa and son Johnny. Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline, is also expecting a child, the couple’s first, a son due in December, who will be named Tripp.

I say if the family wants and needs for the 911 calls placed from the scene, among other records, not to be released then they should get their wish.