Tragedy in New Jersey: NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother died in a car accident
31 august 2024 в 06:13
NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his younger brother, Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on Thursday evening in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, police reported, citing NBC Philadelphia.
The brothers were planning to attend their sister Katie’s wedding to hockey player Devin Joyce in Gloucester City, New Jersey, on Friday.
Sean Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551 at 8:19 p.m. Eastern Time when he attempted to pass two slow-moving vehicles and struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were riding bicycles, the New Jersey State Police reported.
«As a result of further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol», - said police sergeant Jeffrey Lebron in a press release.
Higgins, who was charged with two counts of death by auto, was held without bail on Friday morning, according to jail records.
Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star participant, leaves behind his wife Meredith and two children, Noah, 1 year old, and Johnny Jr., 6 months old.
Gaudreau’s club, the Columbus Blue Jackets, called the death an «unimaginable tragedy» in a social media post on Friday.
«Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We express our sincere condolences to his wife Meredith, his children Noah and Johnny, his parents, their family, and friends for the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew».
The athlete was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft from Boston College and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2022−2023 season, scoring 12 goals and 48 assists last season.
«Johnny played the game with immense joy, felt by all who saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey wherever he played — from Boston College to the Calgary Flames, to the US national team, to the Blue Jackets. He delighted fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could».
«The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him», - the statement continued
The brothers were planning to attend their sister Katie’s wedding to hockey player Devin Joyce in Gloucester City, New Jersey, on Friday.
Sean Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551 at 8:19 p.m. Eastern Time when he attempted to pass two slow-moving vehicles and struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were riding bicycles, the New Jersey State Police reported.
«As a result of further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol», - said police sergeant Jeffrey Lebron in a press release.
Higgins, who was charged with two counts of death by auto, was held without bail on Friday morning, according to jail records.
Gaudreau, a seven-time NHL All-Star participant, leaves behind his wife Meredith and two children, Noah, 1 year old, and Johnny Jr., 6 months old.
Gaudreau’s club, the Columbus Blue Jackets, called the death an «unimaginable tragedy» in a social media post on Friday.
«Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more importantly, a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. We express our sincere condolences to his wife Meredith, his children Noah and Johnny, his parents, their family, and friends for the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew».
The athlete was selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft from Boston College and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets before the 2022−2023 season, scoring 12 goals and 48 assists last season.
«Johnny played the game with immense joy, felt by all who saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey wherever he played — from Boston College to the Calgary Flames, to the US national team, to the Blue Jackets. He delighted fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could».
«The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him», - the statement continued
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
