NHL Columbus Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed in a drunk-driving crash in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on Thursday night.
It is sad to hear that the both brothers were knocked-down by a car as they were cycling close to their locality in Salem County. It was officially announced by the team during the Friday morning and the team stated their shock and saddest moment when they lost two family members of the Gaudreau clan.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, is probably the most notable member of the Blue Jackets having signed the team in July this year as a free agent from the Calgary Flames. Gaudreau and his 29-year-old brother, Matthew, were to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding on Friday in Philadelphia.
The families in the Gaudreau’s household are now left to ponder on the missing member Johnny with widow, Meredith Gaudreau and their two children, Noa and Johnny.
They have also left behind a wife to Matthew by the name of Madeline. Both of them are also parents, Jane Gaudreau and Gus Gaudreau as well as their sisters Kristen and Katie Gaudreau.
How did Gaudreau Brothers Die?
It happened a few minutes before 8.30 p.m., near the road Pennsville Auburn (Salem County Route 551) when the Gaudreau brothers were biking.
The driver, identified as Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey was charged with two counts of death by auto, a type of vehicular manslaughter. At the time of writing this report he is in custody at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
State police said Higgins was behind the wheel of a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling northbound when he tried to overtake another vehicle, an SUV.
The SUV pulled to the middle of the road and passed the Gaudreau brothers who were cycling by the side of the road. Higgins then attempted to overtake the SUV in the right lane, and hit the brothers from the rear, both suffered fatal injuries.
Higgins was still around after the crash. On arrival of the police, he was charged with excessive sweating and smelling of alcohol on his breath.
Higgins said that he consumed five to six beers prior to driving and while on the road and he could not pass the field sobriety test. In his statement he understood that excessive drinking made him impatient and careless on the road.
Statement Issued by Blue Jackets
In a true regard to this tragedy, Columbus Blue Jackets took their time to issue a statement that they feel for the loss of Johnny Gaudreau.
The statement further laid emphasis on the fact of how dedicated Johnny has been in this team both on the ice and outside the ice with a passion for the hockey. The Blue Jackets also expressed condolences to the entire Gaudreau family and asked them to be left alone during those days.
The loss of Johnny Gaudreau comes three years after the Blue Jackets was in another tragedy when goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks died in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2021. The team is once again facing a situation more specifically a tragedy of losing one of its essential members.
Gaudreau had come into the summer with much to prove as the last couple of years had not been much for him. His summer training together with his performance in the men’s world championships for United States was supposed to prepare him for a successful next season.
As for Gaudreau, he had been a reliable star forward for the Blue Jackets who was recording career-highs in points two years in a row but his scoring rate in Columbus was slightly lower than he had back in Calgary.
We invite fans to a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on Wednesday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 3, 2024
The vigil will be held on the Front Street Plaza outside the east entrance to Nationwide Arena.
📝 https://t.co/iTG57CaKms pic.twitter.com/1sCfX1KYge
Johnny Gaudreau was not only a skilled and talented player but also an honorable man with passion to his community. He was determined for a season turnaround and he thought to compete at the men’s world championships in Czechia for the U.S., where he excelled.
Last season was not the best for him but he scored the most points that were 60 in 81 games for the Blue Jackets, which shows his loyalty to his team.
Johnny decided to sign with the Blue Jackets in the next year 2022 mainly because he wanted to raise his family near New Jersey. The people accepted him and in return Gaudreau wished to bring the team to the better part of the league.
Columbus Blue Jackets’ player’s death is a huge loss for the team and an emotional one for everyone who knew him – as a son and a brother, a friend, a team mate, and a successful athlete.
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