NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother, Matthew, were killed in a suspected drunk-driving crash while riding their bikes in Salem County on Thursday evening.
Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, a local high school hockey coach who worked for Gloucester Catholic, were hit on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township and reportedly died at the scene. Johnny was 31 years old, while Matthew was 29.
The Jersey-raised brother were in town to serve as groomsmen in their sister’s wedding on Friday, according to NJ.com.
According to the Associated Press, a man whom police have identified as Sean Higgins, 43, was driving behind the brothers and hit them when he tried to pass two other cars in front of him. Higgins told an officer he’d consumed five or six beers before getting into his vehicle, admitted to drinking while driving, and failed a sobriety test,according to the criminal complaint obtained by the AP.
Higgins is being held in a Salem County jail and has been charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle, according to the AP. His detention hearing is slated for Thursday, September 5. At an appearance in Salem County Court on Friday afternoon, he seemed to let out a frustrated sigh upon being told he’d remain behind bars until then, the New York Post reported.
Growing up in New Jersey, Johnny Gaudreau learned to skate in Sewell at the Hollydell Ice Arena (where his father, Guy, served as hockey director) by “tracking a trail of Skittles candy on the ice,” according to the NHL.
Johnny left behind his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Noa and Johnny.
She shared a heart-wrenching tribute to her late husband following his death, writing on Instagram: “The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with. John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”
Matthew, meanwhile, was expecting his first child with his wife, Madeline. A GoFundMe page to support Madeline and their unborn baby, Tripp, had raised roughly $400,000 as of Saturday evening, far surpassing its $30,000 goal.
Following the brothers’ death, Governor Phil Murphy called them “proud New Jersey natives” who discovered their love for hockey in the rinks of South Jersey.”
“Tammy and I are heartbroken by the shocking and tragic loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau,” he wrote, continuing that Johnny, “earned the adoration of hockey fans around the world, as well as his fellow players. They all recognized that our beloved ‘Johnny Hockey’ was a star in every sense of the word—both on and off the ice.”
Matthew served as head hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic, where both brothers attended high school.
The Blue Jackets released a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of their player. “The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” the team said in a statement on Friday. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
Murphy addressed “every member of the Gaudreau family” in his statement: “Please know that the people of New Jersey grieve with you.”