NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes in New Jersey on Thursday, August 29.
TMZ reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets player and his brother collided with a moving vehicle while cycling around Oldmans Township on Thursday. 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins was behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck them and stayed at the scene. New Jersey State Police said the crash occurred after Higgins attempted to pass two slower-moving vehicles.
"Higgins attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedalcyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway," the police statement reads. "Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedalcyclists sustained fatal injuries."
Further investigation showed that Higgins was believed to have been under the influence while driving. He has been charged with two counts of death by auto and has since been taken to the Salem County Correctional Facility. "The crash remains an active investigation," police added.
Prior to his two seasons at the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny spent nine seasons with the Calgary Flames. "It's with great sadness, we mourn the tragic deaths of our friend Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau," the team shared on social media. "Our hearts are broken by this devastating loss. Johnny was and always will be a member of the Flames family and loved by all of Calgary."
Per ESPN, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that the league is "shocked and saddened by the tragic passing" of Johnny and his brother. "While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path," he added.
Former Flames teammate Blake Coleman added that he was "gutted" by the news.