NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed after hit by suspected drunk driver in NJ
The fatal accident occurred the day before the Gaudreau brothers were to serve as groomsmen at their sister's wedding in Philadelphia.
The fatal accident occurred the day before the Gaudreau brothers were to serve as groomsmen at their sister's wedding in Philadelphia.
OLDMANS TWP., New Jersey (WPVI) -- NHL hockey player and New Jersey resident Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew have been identified as the two bicyclists killed in a car crash.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, as well as the New Jersey state troopers, confirmed the passing of the Gaudreau brothers on Friday morning.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were riding bikes near the line on the side of the road.
Police say 43-year-old Shawn M. of Woodstown, New Jersey. Higgins, was traveling north on Pennsville Auburn Road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee when he allegedly attempted to pass a slower sedan and SUV.
When he tried to re-enter the northbound lane, police say the SUV in front of him crossed into the middle of the road, splitting the northbound and southbound lanes allowing two bicyclists to cross safely on the right side of the road.
The Gaudreau brothers died from their injuries, state police said.
According to the police affidavit, troopers arriving at the scene detected a "strong odor of alcohol" and Higgins alleged that he had consumed "five to six beers" before the crash.
Higgins told investigators he thought the driver of the SUV was trying to pull him over. Higgins told investigators that his alcohol consumption contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, according to the criminal complaint.
Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto, state police said.
The accident happened the day before Gaudreau's sister Katie was married during a ceremony in New Jersey on Friday, a day before a reception was to be held in Philadelphia.
Nicknamed "Johnny Hockey" for his love of the game, Gaudreau was a star at Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester, Camden County before becoming an NHL star.
He played 11 professional seasons, starting his career with the Calgary Flames and most recently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets posted on social media that the team was "shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy."
Another Columbus Blue Jacket passed in the heat last year. Gollie Matisvleniks, 24, died July 4, 2021, during a garden visit at her Detroit-area home. The leaders name, he is the trajectory of the chest in a false firework mortar explosion.
The second Columbus Blue Jackets player to die in a crash in recent years. Gollie Mattis Kivlenics, 24, died July 4, 2021, during a celebration at her Detroit-area home. According to officials, he was hit in the chest by an errant firework mortar blast. Police said the firecracker tilted slightly and started firing at people nearby. Kivlenix was in a hot tub and trying to get out of the way of fireworks when he was hit.
,Both continue to give back to our community," the Philadelphia Flyers said in a post on social media.
The National Hockey League also released a statement, which read in part, "While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-off skills make him '
The National Hockey League also released a statement, which read in part, "Although Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey.' achieved, he was not only a spectacular hockey player; and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every fortunate person who crossed his path."
cOver 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau appeared in the NHL All-Star Game seven times
Where he has always been a fan favorite, especially when he showcased his talent in various skill competitions
For which he was well suited,” the NHL added. During his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, he emerged as one of our league's brightest young stars, while compiling the franchise's fifth-most career points.
His loss will also be deeply felt in the city of Columbus. where he settled his family. And while he was a respected, experienced leader of a club building toward the playoffs, and both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College,
Over 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau appeared in the NHL All-Star Game seven times
Where he was always a fan favorite, especially when he showcased his talent in the various skill competitions for which he was suited,” the NHL added.
While he emerged as one of our league's brightest young stars in his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, compiling the franchise's fifth-most career points, his loss will also be felt deeply in the city of Columbus.
where he settled his family. And where he was a respected, experienced leader of a club building toward the playoffs, and both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College, where they won the Johnny Hobb Baker Award. In 2013-14,
Over 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, especially when he showcased his talents in the various skill competitions for which he suited up,” the NHL added.
While he emerged as one of our league's brightest young stars in his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, compiling the franchise's fifth-most career points, his loss will also be felt deeply in the city of Columbus.
where he settled his family.
And while he was a respected, experienced leader of a club building toward the playoffs, and both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College,
where they won the Johnny Hobe Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both played and where Matthew was the head hockey coach during his own five-year pro playing career."
Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith, and their children, Noah, and Johnny's wife, Madeline, Survived by parents, Guy and Jane and sisters Kristen and Katie.