In Memoriam Johnny Gaudreau & Matthew Gaudreau killed by drunk driver while cycling (MOD WARNING. No Flaming, Trolling, or Politics.)

[joestevens29]

I’m not sure about the States, but if this happened in Canada and the guy pleaded guilty, he’d honestly probably be sentenced to 3-5 years, which is an absolute joke.

Probably a little longer being two deaths, but even then sentenced vs served who knows how long the guy would actually get.

 

[BKarchitect]

The whole situation is really just another reminder from life...a sick, sad reminder...

- Hug your wife or your son or your dog a little harder today.
- Cherish time with your family a bit more even when it seems annoying.
- Don't speed to the meeting you are 5 minutes late for. It's not as big of a deal as you think.
- Put your phone down. Pay attention. Call an Uber.

Anger is without question a valid base emotion to a tragedy. And this is certainly a tragic incident. Hopefully it highlights greater responsibility in some form of action whether that is drunk driving laws, bicycle safety awareness or better city planning. Or some combo of all of those.

But in the meantime, there's a lot of things within our control that we can be reminded of to be better at or to strive to make positive changes in (none of us are perfect and the line is fine) because of tragic events like this.

 

[Panteras]

Damn man..this is horrible for their entire family. Unimaginable. RIP.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Think about his poor sister.

She will live with the guilt of this for the rest of her life, if I booked my wedding any other time my brothers would be here.

Absolutely not her fault but anyone would feel that guilt, this story is so heartbreaking in every way imaginable

As unfortunate as it is, it's natural to feel that way even though it has no basis in reality. Just how minds tend to process overwhelming emotions like that - that you could've stopped it.

So terrible.

 

[PuckG]

Truly devastating and terrifying stuff.

It could have been anyone. Families just ripped apart on a day that was supposed to be celebrated.

 

[is the answer jesus]

Absolutely awful. I feel for the Gaudreau family. Can't even imagine what they are going through right now.
With that said, I'm seeing people saying this is "murder". This isn't murder. Murder is the premeditated killing of someone. This was clearly an accident by some moron driving under the influence and I'm sure this person is going to get the book thrown at them (rightfully so).

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Absolutely awful. I feel for the Gaudreau family. Can't even imagine what they are going through right now.
With that said, I'm seeing people saying this is "murder". This isn't murder. Murder is the premeditated killing of someone. This was clearly an accident by some moron driving under the influence and I'm sure this person is going to get the book thrown at them (rightfully so).

1st degree murder is premeditated

2nd degree is in the heat of the moment. This absolutely qualifies.

Where you see DUIs resulting in death being charged as manslaughter is because murder requires malice and most courts rule that getting behind a wheel knowingly drunk doesnt constitute malice, just negligence

 

[mrzeigler]

I'd make the title 'Murdered by Drunk Driver' rather than passes away, and in NJ he'll likely be back on the street soon too

Agreed on the bad phrasing, but murder is a legal definition to be determined by the courts.

"Passes away" is such a gentle, meaningless euphemism that, if used at all, should be reserved for deaths that can be best ascribed to "natural causes" ... such as 95-year-olds who drift away in their sleep.

The only time active hockey players should be said to "pass away" is when they assist on a goal. Maybe after a lengthy illness but even then, best to avoid meaningless phrases like this.

I'd go with:

"Johnny Gaudreau & brother killed by motorist while bicycling; driver reputed to have told police he consumed alcohol prior to accident"

 

[LuckyDay]

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

Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling Thursday night in Oldmans Township, New Jersey.

www.dispatch.com

According to information provided by the New Jersey State Police, the Gaudreau brothers were killed after a suspected drunk driver crashed into them on a rural road. Matthew Gaudreau was 29.

Sean Higgins, the driver, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, and police charged him with two counts of death by auto and took him to the Salem County Correctional Facility. Authorities have not said when Higgins will make his initial court appearance.

According to New Jersey State Police, Higgins, 43, from Woodstown, New Jersey, was traveling north on a county road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV around 8:20 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Higgins tried to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes, passed the slower-moving sedan, and tried to re-enter the northbound lanes, state troopers said. The SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers traveling north on the right side of the roadway.

Higgins then tried to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two bicyclists in the rear, the highway patrol said. As a result of the collision, the brothers suffered fatal injuries.

RIP Johnny Hockey and his brother. His poor wife and children.

 

[Djp]

Personally, I just flat out don't feel safe. I'm fortunate that DC has a wonderful network of dedicated bike trails, and I only ride on roads when I absolutely have to in order to connect from one trail to another. Most drivers are indeed very responsible and pass safely when I do that, but I am very mindful that it only takes one bad one to kill me.

Generally, riding on rural lower traffic roads like the one the Gaudreaus were on is pretty safe. But it only takes one drunk, aggressive driver.

Share the road, people.

I regularly road my bike in my teens and 20s. These were 5+ miles one way I’d do. I would intentionally ride off left side of the road for my own safety. Where I could defend myself from something like this

 

[shills]

Impatience behind the wheel can be extremely dangerous, and it seems to be a growing problem. The amount of vehicles I see doing stupid stuff just to try to get somewhere a minute or two faster is constantly growing. "Slow down and think" is something I'm trying to remind myself more and more.

So true and such an awful way to be given this reminder. As someone who is travelling today on this busy holiday weekend, I will most definitely keep this in mind. And as someone who also bikes and has had my fair share of close calls, it just is so sad,

I feel so bad for Johnny's family. This has just punched me so hard in the gut. That picture of him and his wife and kids on the ice just hit me so hard. RIP Johnny Hockey.

 

[The Great Weal]

Absolutely sick to my stomach this is awful

 

[thegazelle]

I don't know how bicyclists feel safe on the road. When I was growing up you pretty much stayed on the sidewalk as much as possible, the bikers get a tiny little lane in some places it's such a small margin for error

Agree. I went biking yesterday and I am not a bike racer or anything - just leisurely bike ride with my younger son. Even though there are bike lanes we just bike on the sidewalk since we bike so slow anyways but there are too many bad drivers out there that I would rather risk getting ticket for my kid and I biking on the sidewalk rather than risk our lives on the road. I have seen people run stop signs, and see people on their phones while driving, while we are biking. Even at a stop sign, we make eye contact with the driver as they slow down to make sure they see us. Shouldn't have to do all this but ya never know.

 

[LOFIN]

With that said, I'm seeing people saying this is "murder". This isn't murder. Murder is the premeditated killing of someone. This was clearly an accident by some moron driving under the influence and I'm sure this person is going to get the book thrown at them (rightfully so).

If you kill someone while DUI, it's not "an accident" either. It's negligent homicide, or involuntary manslaughter.

 

[AuraSphere]

What makes this even more sad is that his sister's wedding was today....

 

[enthuuusiast]

As an older brother, this one hurts man. Rest in peace.

 

[IslesNorway]

Such horrible news. RIP. The Blue Jackets just never seem to catch a break.

 

[NYRKing]

I really can’t believe it. Rip and prayers to the family.

 

[SI90]

Absolute tragedy and it should have never happened.

We have some of the most unsafe roads in the developed world and nobody gives a damn.

Doesn’t matter if the road was unsafe. We have Uber apps and transportation apps. There’s no justification for driving drunk, especially in this day and age.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Unfathomable. RIP.

 

[SecretOilersFan]

Drunk drivers... yeah that is horrible, I hope the driver gets the book thrown at them. He was always a frustrating player to watch as an oilers fan, and that was due to his talent. He was someone you wanted to have on your team. I can't imagine the mixture of anger, loss and sorrow his family are feeling.

 

[K1900L]

Unbelievable, shocked..

 

[Duke749]

I have no words. May his family find a way through this tragedy.

 

[CTHabsfan]

This would be bad enough if it were just Johnny, but when it's also his brother and they were supposed to be groomsmen for their sister's wedding today makes this unbelievably bad news. Thoughts are with the Gaudreau family.

 

[seafoam]

Jesus christ, RIP.