NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother fatally struck by car while riding bikes in NJ
NEW JERSEY - NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed by a suspected drunk driver on Thursday night while riding bikes on a rural New Jersey road, according to authorities.
According to investigators, Johnny and Matthew were biking near the fog line on County Route 551 just after 8 p.m. when a Jeep Cherokee driven by Sean Higgins struck the brothers while trying to pass two slower-moving vehicles.
Authorities believe Higgins, 43, used the oncoming lane to pass a sedan and hit the cyclists when he re-entered the right lane. Investigators said the deadly collision happened when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway to safely pass the two cyclists and Higgins attempted to pass the SUV on the right.
Sean Higgins, 43, was charged in a crash that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in Salem County, New Jersey.
Police say Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, and was charged with two counts of death by auto. He is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
The tragedy came hours before Johnny and Matthews' sister, Katie Gaudreau, was set to be married in Gloucester City with a reception to follow in Philadelphia. TMZ reports the wedding has been canceled.
Gaudreau, 31, played 11 NHL seasons, including nine with the Calgary Flames. For the past two seasons, Gaudreau played with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 14: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Columbus Blue Jackets warms up prior to a game against the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena on April 14, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Blue Jackets shared a statement on X that called the Gaudreaus death an "unimaginable tragedy."
"Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend," the statement read. "Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice."
Nicknamed "Johnny Hockey," the former Boston College standout was a native of Salem, New Jersey and attended Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City.
His younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, played with Johnny at Boston College and Gloucester Catholic. He played in the 2021-2022 season for the Worcester Railers and formerly played for the Reading Royals.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 10: Brothers Johnny Gaudreau #13 and Matthew Gaudreau #21 of the Boston College Eagles celebrate after the Eagles beat the Northeastern University Huskies to win their fifth Beanpot Championship in a row in NCAA hockey action in
"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.
Their father, Guy Gaudreau, spent over a decade as a hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic.
FOX 29 Philadelphia helped contribute to this report.