Tragic incident in New Jersey claims lives of Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and his brother; driver suspected of drunk driving

   

 Johnny Gaudreau, a standout player for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother Matthew were both killed on Thursday night when they were struck by a vehicle who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol as they were riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The incident occurred near to their hometown in Salem County, according to the New Jersey State Police.

Friday morning, the team announced on social media that it was "shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy." The team verified the deaths that had occurred previously.

After signing with the Blue Jackets in July 2022 as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau, who was 31 years old at the time, became the team's leading forward. According to a post that was published on a well-known wedding website, Gaudreau and his brother, who is 29 years old, were supposed to serve as groomsmen in their sister Katie's wedding that took place on Friday in Philadelphia.

His wife, Meredith, and his two young children, a daughter named Noa and a son named Johnny, both of whom were born in Columbus, are among the people that Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind. Matthew Gaudreau's wife, Madeline, is the only person he leaves behind. Their parents, Jane and Gus Gaudreau, as well as their sisters, Kristen and Katie, are the only people who will remember both of their brothers.

Johnny Gaudreau, a standout player with the Blue Jackets, passed away.

The Gaudreau boys were riding their bicycles along Pennsville Auburn Road (Salem County Route 551) when they were struck by a vehicle that was believed to be driven by an intoxicated driver. The incident occurred just before 8:30 p.m., according to the New Jersey State Police.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, was transferred to the Salem County Correctional Facility after being charged with two charges of death by auto, which is also referred to as vehicular murder.

Due to the fact that Higgins' preliminary court hearing took place on Friday, his arraignment has been set for the following Thursday. Until then, he will continue to be held in the Salem County jail. While he was incarcerated, he was also given the instruction to refrain from discussing the issue with anyone other than his counsel. Judge Michael Silviano was questioned by Higgins regarding the procedure for obtaining legal representation.

What you need to know about Johnny Gaudreau, the great player for the Columbus Blue Jackets, following his untimely death

According to a report that was made public on Friday morning, the investigating officers believed that Higgins was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

Higgins was operating a Jeep Grand Cherokee in the direction of northbound traffic on Pennsville Auburn Road when the collision took place. While Higgins was driving in the southbound lane, he was able to overtake the automobile; but, when he attempted to pass an SUV, the SUV moved to the middle of the road.

While the Gaudreau boys were riding their bicycles on the side of the road with their bikes facing north, the SUV was driving around them. According to the state police, Higgins then made an effort to pass the SUV on the right side of the road and hit the two bikers who were riding behind him. Tragically, the Gaudreau brothers were killed by their injuries.

The criminal complaint that was filed against Higgins states that he remained at the scene of the accident when law enforcement arrived at the location of the collision.

After he admitted to the police that he had consumed five to six beers prior to the accident and while he was driving, the investigators discovered that he smelt like he had been drinking alcohol. Additionally, according to the complaint, Higgins did not pass a field sobriety test.

According to the criminal complaint, Higgins stated to the police that he believed that his drinking had caused him to become impatient and behave recklessly behind the wheel, which ultimately led to the collision.

  

There is a statement from Blue Jackets.

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are dismayed and heartbroken by this unfathomable tragedy," the announcement read. Johnny was not only a talented hockey player, but he was also a devoted spouse, father, son, brother, and friend. His accomplishments in these areas were exceptional. In light of the unexpected passing of Johnny and Matthew, we would like to express our deepest condolences to his wife, Meredith, as well as to his children, Noa and Johnny, as well as to his parents, their family, and friends. Johnny played the game with a tremendous deal of joy, and everyone who witnessed him on the ice, including himself, felt the same way. Each and every one of the teams that he played for, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets, he brought with him a true passion for the sport of hockey.

'Shocked and grieved' by the unfortunate loss of Columbus Blue Jackets player, according to Johnny Gaudreau, the National Hockey League

He was able to excite fans in a manner that only Johnny Hockey could. The deep impact that he had on our organisation and our sport is insignificant when compared to the permanent impression that he left on each and every person who took the time to get to know him. When Johnny moved to Columbus two years ago, he immediately became a part of our community, and those in Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We are going to miss him deeply, and we are going to do everything in our power to help his family and each other get through this terrible catastrophe. Our request is that prayers be offered for the Gaudreau family at this time, and that their privacy be maintained as they go through this difficult period.

According to a statement made by a spokeswoman for the Blue Jackets, the team will not provide any additional comments until a later time.

Matiss Kivlenieks, a goalie with the Blue Jackets, was killed in a fireworks incident on July 4, 2021 in Novi, Michigan, at the residence of Manny Legacy, the team's previous goalie coach. Gaudreau's death occurred three years after Kivlenieks's death.

Johnny Gaudreau, a left wing with the Columbus Blue Jackets, takes the ice before to the opening night game against the Tampa Bay Lightning that will take place at Nationwide Arena on October 14, 2022. (Photo from the dispatch file)

After two seasons on the ice that were less than satisfying, Gaudreau entered this summer with the goal of having a rebound year that would be propelled by his offseason training. As part of this, he represented the United States of America at the men's world championships held in Czechia in the month of May. The impressive performance of Gaudreau, who finished third on the team in scoring with three goals, eight assists, and eleven points in eight games, earned him a tie for fourth place in the tournament.

The left wing for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny Gaudreau, who is thirteen years old, smiles at his daughter, Noa, before the National Hockey League hockey game against the Seattle Kraken on March 3, 2023, at Nationwide Arena.
     

It was the second year in a row that Gaudreau led the team in points, although it was a 14-point dip from his first season in Columbus (2022-23). He also led the Blue Jackets with a record of 12-48-60 in 81 games during the previous season. In addition, it was 55 points lower than Gaudreau's final season in Calgary, which was prior to his unexpected decision in July 2022 to sign a seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets that was worth $68.25 million.

In the third period of the National Hockey League hockey game that took place at Nationwide Arena on November 14, 2023, the left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) of the Columbus Blue Jackets brought the puck up ice and passed it past the centre Sidney Crosby (87) of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue Jackets were defeated by a score of 5-3.

However, Gaudreau never wavered in his fundamental motivation for selecting the Blue Jackets, despite the fact that the choice was met with criticism throughout the National Hockey League, particularly in Calgary. The two of them had the intention of bringing up their children in Columbus, which is located in close proximity to their families in New Jersey. Fans of the Blue Jackets, who have been up in significant numbers over the past two years despite the team's mound of losses, were another thing that impressed Gaudreau much.

    

Fans of the Blue Jackets and the National Hockey League react to the news of Johnny Gaudreau's passing by saying, "We love you, Johnny Hockey."

This task was given a boost on July 1 when the Blue Jackets signed centre Sean Monahan, a close friend and former Flames teammate. His objective was to provide them with more reasons to rejoice, and he successfully accomplished this goal. As the team prepared to enter training camp, it seemed as though new head coach Dean Evason had filled two of the three forward positions on the top line. Gaudreau was playing left wing, while Monahan was playing in the middle with the team. Patrik Laine was traded to the Montreal Canadiens a week ago, and now there is a significant gap in the number of established outstanding wingers. Additionally, there is a much larger loss in the hearts and thoughts of Gaudreau's family, teammates, and all those who knew him.