In a heartbreaking incident, NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his younger brother Matthew lost their lives on Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. The brothers were cycling when a suspected drunk driver struck them while attempting to overtake other vehicles at around 8:00 p.m.
The tragic accident occurred just half an hour after sunset, leaving the community in shock. Both Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matt, 29, were natives of Carneys Point, New Jersey, and were set to be groomsmen at their sister Katie's wedding scheduled for Friday in Philadelphia.
Authorities reported that the 43-year-old driver, Sean M. Higgins, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Higgins admitted to consuming five or six beers before driving and failed a field sobriety test. He now faces charges including two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, and possession of an open container.
Johnny Gaudreau, affectionately known as \"Johnny Hockey,\" had an illustrious career spanning over a decade in the NHL. Having played eight seasons with the Calgary Flames, he was a fan favorite and one of the league's top players. In 2022, he signed a seven-year, $68 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets, marking his third season with the team.
Jerry York, who coached the Gaudreau brothers at Boston College, expressed his sorrow, stating, \"Just devastating news for all of us connected with the Gaudreau family. Both Matty and Johnny were terrifically admired by all of us. Wonderful young guys, and they impressed a lot of us off the ice.\"
The loss of Johnny and Matt Gaudreau is a significant blow to the hockey community and their families, highlighting the devastating impact of drunk driving on lives and families.
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NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and brother killed in traffic accident
cgtn.com
