NHL Star's Family Seeks To Bar Release Of Records In Fatal NJ Crash

SALEM COUNTY, NJ — The family of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew are seeking to prevent authorities from releasing certain records involving the siblings' deaths.

A suspected drunk driver struck and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau as the brothers rode their bikes Aug. 29 in Salem County, authorities said. An attorney representing their family says that a recording of the 911 call from the scene should remain private.

The family is seeking a court order that would halt Salem County officials from releasing public records involving the investigation, according to a complaint filed Sept. 26 by their attorney, William Lane. A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for Tuesday in the Salem County courthouse.

A judge has ordered officials to keep the documents private until a ruling is made.

Following the deadly crash, news-media outlets have sent requests to the Salem County Prosecutor's Office and the county government for records related to the county's investigation. County officials planned to distribute a recording of the 911 call from the crash to requesting parties on Sept. 27, according to the complaint.

Lane filed the complaint one day prior, seeking to halt the release of the 911-audio recordings, on-scene footage and photos, investigative reports, or autopsy photos pertaining to the crash. Journalists and members of the public can typically receive these documents by request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was a seven-time NHL all-star, while Matthew, 29, played minor-league hockey before returning to South Jersey and coaching. Their deaths, and the ensuing criminal investigation, have received widespread attention and news coverage.

The driver accused of hitting and killing them — Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown — was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide. He's been ordered to stay jailed until at least Oct. 15, when his pre-indictment conference is scheduled.

Releasing the 911 recording and other investigative records violate the Gaudreau family's right to privacy, while providing no public benefit, Lane says.

"(T)here is absolutely no public interest to justify the immediate release of such materials," the complaint says. "Any request by the news or media outlet would be purely for the outlet's own viewership."

A spokesperson for the Salem County Prosecutor's Office decline comment.