William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

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OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, NJ (August 31, 2024)--Columbus Blue Jackets hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck by an allegedly drunk driver on Thursday, August 29, and killed. The accident occurred near their home in Oldmans Township, Salem County, according to the State Police. 

Johnny Hockey and his brother Matt were standout players for the Gloucester Catholic High School hockey team. Their father, Gus, was the school's head coach for several years. Johnny always held the Rams close to his heart and organized an annual golf fundraiser at a South Jersey golf course, with the proceeds benefiting the high school. In 2022, Matt returned to Gloucester Catholic to serve as the ice hockey coach for two years. Both brothers, who are South Jersey natives, played at Boston College before advancing to the national level.

“Johnny and Matt were incredible hockey players and students, but even more amazing human beings,” principal Thomas Iacovene Jr. said in a statement released by the school Friday. “Their loss will be felt forever by the entire Gloucester Catholic community and by me personally.”

The full statement on their X page is below:

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, both played hockey at Gloucester Catholic High School and Boston College before embarking on professional careers. Johnny played 763 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames. Matthew played five seasons in the American Hockey League, the ECHL and in Sweden. photo courtesy of  Boston College

Boston College released the following:

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were shining stars on and off the ice for the Eagles.

Johnny played three seasons for Boston College from 2011-14 and was a member of BC's 2012 National Championship team as a freshman.  He led the nation in scoring as a junior and was the recipient of the 2014 Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the top player in men's college hockey.  Nicknamed "Johnny Hockey," he went on to play 11 years in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Matthew and his brother played together on the ice at Kelley Rink during the 2013-14 season.  A four-year standout for the Eagles from 2013-17, he played in 120 games for Boston College and was a two-time Beanpot champion in 2014 and 2016.  After Boston College, Matthew went on to play professionally for five seasons and served as the head boys hockey coach at Gloucester Catholic H.S. in New Jersey for the past two seasons.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Gaudreau family and mourn with them during this time of tragedy.

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"I am devastated and heartbroken over the news of the death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.  They were not only great hockey players but two outstanding young men. They represented their families and Boston College with the utmost class.  Please keep the Gaudreau family in your prayers during this tragic and unspeakable time."
- Former Boston College Head Coach Jerry York

"No words can express our sadness right now.  Johnny and Matty Gaudreau were first-class members of the Boston College community and left indelible legacies on our program. We will remember the smiles and joy that they brought to everyone in their lives.  We are heartbroken for the Gaudreau family.  We will miss them terribly."
- Boston College Schiller Family Head Hockey Coach Greg Brown 

 

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

The driver of the vehicle, Sean Higgins, age 43, closed his eyes and bowed his head at Friday's arraignment when a judge informed him that he would remain in the correctional facility until next Thursday.

(Photo courtesy of Fox News)

At his preliminary court hearing on Friday, August 30, Higgins’ arraignment was rescheduled to next Thursday, September 5, 2024. He will remain in the Salem County jail until then. Higgins asked Judge Michael Silviano about the process of getting a public defender.

Friday morning, the Blue Jackets released the following statement about the player's sudden death on social media.

“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 everyone who saw him on the ice felt. He brought a genuine love for hockey everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets."

The Blue Jackets signed Gaudreu as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames in July 2022. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Gaudreau, 31 and his 29-year-old brother were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding on Friday in Philadelphia. Due to their deaths the wedding on Friday was canceled according to a post on social media.

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.

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, was charged with two counts of death by auto, also known as vehicular homicide, and taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility.

According to the report by The Columbus Dispatch, troopers stated that they suspected Higgins of driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. The crash happened as Higgins was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Pennsville Auburn Road. Higgins overtook a car in the southbound lane, but when attempting 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.