Matthew Gaudreau and Johnny Gaudreault Obituary: Johnny Gaudreau, a left winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau lost their lives when they were hit by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles. Johnny was thirty-one years old.
The Gaudreaus were attending their sister Katie’s wedding in southern New Jersey. According to investigators, around 8:19 p.m. on Thursday, Johnny and Matthew, 29, were bicycling north on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township. According to New Jersey state police, Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was traveling north on the same stretch of road at that time in a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to police, Higgins attempted to pass two cars in front of him. The Gaudreau brothers were riding their bikes on the right side of the road when an SUV ahead of Higgins slid into the center of the road, dividing the north and south lanes, according to the investigation.
Police added that Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right side of the road and collided with the brothers. Their wounds claimed their lives.
Higgins, who stayed at the scene, told New Jersey State Police in a criminal complaint that he had had five or six beers before to the incident. After then, he didn’t pass any of the regular field sobriety tests.
Higgins was detained and accused with two charges of vehicular murder after police claimed he was possibly intoxicated. The Salem County Correctional Facility received him.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team said in a statement. In addition to being a fantastic hockey player, Johnny was also a devoted son, brother, spouse, and father. We send our deepest condolences to his [family’s] friends and relatives on the unexpected passing of Johnny and Matthew.
During the course of 11 NHL seasons, Johnny Gaudreau, sometimes known as “Johnny Hockey,” scored 500 goals and laid down 243 assists. He was a free agent when he joined the Blue Jackets two seasons ago, and with 74 and 60 points, respectively, including 101 assists, he led the team in scoring. He stated that he wanted to be able to raise his family in central Ohio, which is why he choose the Blue Jackets over larger contract offers.
Tracy