News Article: Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew Killed by Drunk Driver

[5 14 6 1]

Absolutely horrible and avoidable tragedy. Johnny was one hell of a player and struck fear into me everytime he had the puck against us. May his family find peace in their grieving. Both brothers were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sisters wedding today, where Johnny's wife Meredith was to be the Maid of Honour.

Blue Jackets' Gaudreau killed in car-bike crash

Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed when they were struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles, according to New Jersey State Police.

www.espn.com

Rest in Peace Johnny Hockey and brother Matthew.

Click to read more...

 

[Canovin]

RIP Johnny. Let's be honest. We secretly wanted you on the Oilers

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I just want to point out to you OP that I'm glad you didn't sugarcoat it by saying he "passed away". He didn't. He was killed. It's a horrific tragedy caused by a reckless idiot who thought they knew better.

Plan ahead, people. There's never an excuse for drunk driving. It destroys so many lives.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

All he had to do was call a taxi or hail an Uber.

 

[Dorian2]

This is just awful. Condolences to the Gaudreau family.

 

[McJadeddog]

Hell of a player. 31 and 29 is far too young, not that being killed by an idiot dunk driver at any age is good. Just terrible all around.

Don't drink and drive folks. Your dumb decision might just ruin the lives of an entire family forever. He had a wife and 2 small children. Not sure about his brothers situation.

Edit: Just realized it was his birthday yesterday as well.

 

[bobbythebrain]

RIP Johnny & Matthew

 

[Fishy McScales]

Shocking news. RIP.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

All he had to do was call a taxi or hail an Uber.

f***er looks like he’s impaired. Glassy, bloodshot eyes & dilated pupils.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Wanted to post @bucks_oil post from the mains here because i think he does a good job summing up my thoughts as well

So to focus on Johnny (and his brother),… it’s devastating to hear of his passing…. You can’t truly know a persons personality without really knowing him, but I’m forever grateful to have seen Johnny Hockey play the game. Not just the elegant plays, but his approach to the game and his teammates. As an opposing Oiler fan it was always so easy to see a guy who brought joy to the game and those around him… always seemed like the nicest guy and teammate at the rink. His love of the game, and life, was always shining through the color of his jersey… he will be missed.

Rest in Peace

 

[The Nuge]

Just a completely inexcusable loss of life. I can’t imagine what his sister is going through right now

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

I said this in the OOT thread but just a tragic, devastating and senseless tragedy
RIP Johnny hockey and Matthew
I can't believe it

 

[Zguy370]

Devastating news. Condolences to the family. Can't even imagine what their sister is going through.
RIP Johnny and Matthew.

 

[joestevens29]

Just devastating news to hear this morning

 

[MoontoScott]

Shocking and very difficult to believe. Such a senseless waste of human life.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Absolutely tragic. Every Condolence to the Gaudreaus and their friends.

Johnny Gaudreau accident: NHL star, brother Matthew killed after being struck by suspected drunk driver in Salem County, NJ | 6abc.com

NHL%20player%20Johnny%20Gaudreau%20and%20his%20brother%2C%20Matthew%2C%20were%20struck%20and%20killed%20by%20a%20suspected%20drunk%20driver%20Sean%20Higgins%20in%20Salem%20County%2C%20New%20Jersey.

6abc.com

Jesus f***king Christ...

"The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township.

Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were traveling north on County Route 551, close to the line on the side of the roadway.

Police say 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was traveling north on County Route 551 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee when he allegedly attempted to pass a slower-moving sedan and SUV.

Police say Higgins entered the southbound lanes of the roadway and passed the sedan.

When he attempted to reenter the northbound lanes, police say the SUV in front of him moved into the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes in order to safely pass two bicyclists on the right side of the road.

Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the Gaudreau brothers from behind, troopers said.

The Gaudreau brothers died from their injuries, according to state police.

According to the police affidavit, the trooper who arrived on the scene detected a "strong odor of alcohol," and Higgins allegedly told the trooper he had consumed "five to six beers" before the crash.

Higgins allegedly told investigators that he thought the driver of the SUV was trying to stop him from passing. Higgins told investigators that his consumption of alcohol contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, according to the criminal complaint.

The trooper also said Higgins then failed a field sobriety test."

Lock this s**t stain up and throw away the key.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

This makes me feel sick. Their poor family… their poor sister. Johnny has a young girl and boy. So many lives ruined by one moronic decision.

RIP Matthew and Johnny. Prayers for the family.

 

[5 14 6 1]

This makes me feel sick. Their poor family… their poor sister. Johnny has a young girl. So many lives ruined by one moronic decision.

RIP Matthew and Johnny. Prayers for the family.

Also has a young son named Johnny.

Johnny was one of the greatest opponents I can remember and a huge reason for the amazing rivalry us fans got to enjoy over the past decade. Everyime the puck touched his stick you expected magic. May his family find peace in their grieving. Tragic loss of both brothers. RIP

 

[Leonardlizard]

This is so incredibly sad.

I remember I got a troll warning my first year on here during the last Tippett games ..I said something like "I've been having more fun watching Johnny hockey rip corners."

Which was true at the time.

 

[Reasonable Oil Fan]

On the eve of such an important day, this senseless act happens.
We all need to send thoughts/hopes of strength for the family. I cant imagine how they move forward from this.
Even though he played for our biggest rival, I always respected/enjoyed his talent and he often impressed me as being a really good fellow.
Terrible day

 

[Salvaged Ship]

Shocking and tragic. Life is precious, you never know when it is your time. We squabble and stress at the stupidest things at times, when a senseless tragedy like this occurs it can make you realize how petty some of our issues really are. Both him and his brother, wow. And leaves behind 2 kids under 2 years old.

My heart goes out to their family, God bless. And the driver responsible should see a prison cell for a long time.

 

[Nunymare]

I just want to point out to you OP that I'm glad you didn't sugarcoat it by saying he "passed away". He didn't. He was killed. It's a horrific tragedy caused by a reckless idiot who thought they knew better.

Plan ahead, people. There's never an excuse for drunk driving. It destroys so many lives.

Ditto for the use of the word "accident". Seeing that used in this context is maddening.

Absolutely f***ed and guttingly sad.

 

[belair]

f***er looks like he’s impaired. Glassy, bloodshot eyes & dilated pupils.

Not to take away from the tragedy, but there's probably a good chance he spent the majority of his night balling his eyes out and not getting a blink of sleep.

This is why you don't drink and drive. You ruin so many lives including your own.

 

[Nostradumbass]

That's f***ing terrible. I hated him as a player due to how good he was, but he was nothing but a good teammate and husband. His entire exodus from Calgary was to be closer to family, can't blame a guy for that.

 

[GOilers88]

I just want to point out to you OP that I'm glad you didn't sugarcoat it by saying he "passed away". He didn't. He was killed. It's a horrific tragedy caused by a reckless idiot who thought they knew better.

Plan ahead, people. There's never an excuse for drunk driving. It destroys so many lives.

It's never the drunk drivers who end up dying in these accidents either.