Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver (2024)

Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed Thursday night when they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, close to their hometown in Salem County there, New Jersey State Police said.

The team confirmed the deaths Friday morning, saying on social media that it was "shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy."

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was the Blue Jackets’ top forward after signing in July 2022 as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames. According to a post on a popular wedding site, Gaudreau and his 29-year-old brother were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister Katie's wedding Friday in Philadelphia.

Johnny Gaudreau leaves behind his wife, Meredith, and two young children, a daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny, who both were born in Columbus. Matthew Gaudreau is survived by his wife, Madeline. Both brothers are survived by their parents, Jane and Gus Gaudreau, and their sisters Kristen and Katie.

Suspected drunk driving incident:NJ man arrested in crash that killed Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau

How did Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau die?

New Jersey State Police said the Gaudreau brothers died after a suspected drunk driver crashed into them shortly before 8:30 p.m. as they biked along rural Pennsville Auburn Road (Salem County Route 551). It was roughly an hour after sunset.

The driver, Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, wascharged with two counts of death by auto, also known as vehicular homicide, and taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility.

At his preliminary court hearing Friday, Higgins' arraignment was rescheduled to next Thursday and he will remain in the Salem County jail until then. He was also instructed not to discuss the case with anyone while in jail except for his attorney. Higgins asked Judge Michael Silviano about the process of getting an attorney.

Johnny Gaudreau:What to know about the Columbus Blue Jackets star after tragic death

Troopers suspected Higgins was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, according to a report released Friday morning.

The crash occurred as Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Pennsville Auburn Road. Higgins passed the car in the southbound lane, but when he went to pass an SUV, the SUV moved to the middle of the road.

The SUV was passing around the Gaudreau brothers pedaling north on the side of the road on their bikes. Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two bicyclists in the rear, state police said. The Gaudreau brothers suffered fatal injuries.

According to the criminal complaint against Higgins, he remained on the scene when law enforcement arrived at the crash site.

Investigators noticed he smelled of alcohol, and he told police that he had drank five to six beers before and while driving before the crash. Higgins also failed a field sobriety test, the complaint states.

Higgins told police he believed his drinking had led to his impatience and reckless driving that resulted in the crash, according to the criminal complaint.

Blue Jackets issue statement

Here is the full statement the Blue Jackets released Friday morning:

"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew. Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.

Johnny Gaudreau:NHL 'shocked and saddened' by tragic death of Columbus Blue Jackets star

"He thrilled 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. Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy. At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve."

A Blue Jackets spokesman said the team will not be making any further comments until a later date.

Gaudreau’s death happened three years after Blue Jackets goalie Matiss Kivlenieks was killed in a fireworks incident on July 4, 2021 in Novi, Michigan, at the home of Manny Legacy, the team’s former goalie coach.

Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver (2)

After two disappointing seasons on the ice, Gaudreau went into this summer with the intention of having a rebound year powered by his offseason training. That included playing for the United States in May at the men’s world championships in Czechia. Gaudreau impressed with three goals, eight assists and 11 points in eight games to finish third on the team in scoring and he tied for fourth in the tournament.

Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver (3)

He also led the Blue Jackets with 12-48-60 in 81 games last season, the second year in a row Gaudreau led the team in points, but it was a 14-point drop from his first season in Columbus (2022-23). It was also 55 points lower than Gaudreau's final season in Calgary, which preceded his surprising decision in July 2022 to sign a seven-year deal with the Blue Jackets worth $68.25 million.

Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver (4)

The move was criticized across the NHL, especially in Calgary, but Gaudreau never wavered in his primary reason behind picking the Blue Jackets. He and Meredith wanted to raise their kids in Columbus, which is closer to their families in New Jersey. Gaudreau was also impressed Blue Jackets fans, who showed up in large numbers the past two years despite a mountain of losses.

Johnny Gaudreau:'We love you Johnny Hockey': Fans of Blue Jackets, NHL react to death

His goal was to give them more to cheerabout, and that challenge got a boost July 1 with the Blue Jackets signing center Sean Monahan, a close friend and former Flames teammate. Heading towardtraining camp, new coach Dean Evason appeared to have two of his three forward spots filled on the top line with Gaudreau at left wing and Monahan in the middle. Now, a week after trading Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens, there’s a large void of proven elite wingers and a much bigger emptiness in the hearts and minds of Gaudreau's family, teammates and all those who knew him.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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Blue Jackets' Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in NJ crash involving suspected drunk driver (2024)

FAQs

How did Johnny and Matthew pass away? ›

Johnny and Matthew were struck by a car and killed while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday night. After the tragedy, NHL players, fans and friends took to social media to recount the incredible career of the man dubbed Johnny Hockey.

Does Johnny Gaudreau have a brother? ›

Johnny, 31, and his brother, Matthew, 29, were fatally struck by a vehicle on Thursday evening while riding their bicycles in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

Who hit Gaudreau? ›

Police said the driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.

How old was Matthew Gaudreau? ›

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were cycling in Salem County on Aug. 29 "close to the fog line of the roadway" when they were hit from behind by a driver who was trying to pass another car, according to New Jersey State Police.

Where was the hockey player killed? ›

National Hockey League star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were killed in a car accident in New Jersey on Thursday night.

Who did Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau play for? ›

Johnny Gaudreau was 31 and played three years at BC, from 2011 to 2014. Matthew was 29. He played for the Eagles from 2013 to 2017. They played together for just one season, 2013-14, in Chestnut Hill.

Why do they call Johnny Gaudreau Johnny Hockey? ›

Family members always called him John, with the “Johnny Hockey” nickname coming from his days at BC. They trademarked it only so they would have some say over how it was used. “We'll never, ever make a penny with it,” Guy Gaudreau told the Courier-Post in South Jersey in 2015.

How much did Johnny Gaudreau weigh when he was drafted? ›

Gaudreau was listed at 5-6, 137 pounds at the NHL scouting combine in 2011, his draft year, but that measurement might not have been exact.

How many kids did Johnny Gaudreau have? ›

Johnny Gaudreau had two children with his wife, Meredith Gaudreau. She posted tributes to her husband and brother-in-law Aug. 31. "Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours.

Is Johnny Gaudreau still alive? ›

Where did Johnny Gaudreau move to? ›

The move was criticized across the NHL, especially in Calgary, but Gaudreau never wavered in his primary reason behind picking the Blue Jackets. He and Meredith wanted to raise their kids in Columbus, which is closer to their families in New Jersey.

How many goals did Johnny Gaudreau score? ›

Gaudreau racked up 743 points (243 goals & 500 assists) in 763 career NHL games after being selected by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Draft.

Did Johnny Gaudreau have a baby? ›

Johnny and Meredith welcomed their first baby — a daughter named Noa Harper — in September 2022. They became two-time parents earlier this year, when Meredith gave birth to son Johnny Edward in February.

Who is Katie Gaudreau? ›

The sister of hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau paid tribute on Monday to her two brothers, who were struck and killed by a driver on the eve of her wedding. In an Instagram post with photos of the close-knit family, Katie Gaudreau remembered “the absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for.”

Why did Gaudreau leave? ›

He said his decision to leave the team was because he wanted to be closer to his family. His father had a heart attack in 2018, which made him think about how little he'd seen his family since he joined the NHL. He then met his wife, Meredith.

Who is Meredith Gaudreau? ›

Meredith Gaudreau, wife of Johnny Gaudreau, thanked the city of Calgary and the Flames for the memorial outside of the Saddledome honouring her late husband. Gaudreau made an Instagram story post on Monday expressing gratitude to the city and Calgary Flames fans. "Thank you Calgary," Gaudreau said in the post.

Where did Johnny Gaudreau? ›

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bicycles around 8:19 p.m. Thursday on a county road in Oldmans Township – a community in southern New Jersey near the Delaware River – when a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was attempting to pass two slower-moving vehicles hit them, according to New Jersey State ...

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