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NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday night while biking when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver, authorities confirmed.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were cycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, when a driver attempting to pass another car fatally struck them, Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron of the New Jersey State Police said Friday in a statement.
The driver, identified as 43-year-old Sean Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of death by auto, Lebron said. He was booked into the Salem County Correctional Facility. Lebron could not confirm whether Higgins had an attorney.
An affidavit of probable cause revealed that the responding police officer detected a “strong odor” of alcohol from Higgins’ breath at the scene of the crash. Higgins admitted to having consumed five to six beers before the accident and proceeded to fail a sobriety test.
Gaudreau’s team, the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio, mourned the loss in a statement Friday morning.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” the team said. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.”
Nicknamed “Johnny Hockey,” Johnny Gaudreau was celebrated for his flashy offensive play and exceptional scoring ability.
He played alongside his brother at Boston College before being drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011, where he quickly became a fan favorite. He was selected for the NHL All-Star Game seven times. In 2022, he signed with the Blue Jackets and was entering his third season with them.
“Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited,” Bettman said.
In a post on X, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also extended his condolences.
“Fran & I offer our deepest condolences to the family of @BlueJacketsNHL‘s Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew,” DeWine said. “Our thoughts are also with the entire Blue Jackets organization as they mourn the loss of one of their own.”
The crash remains under investigation, police said.
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