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

[Koivu11]

He didn't pass away. Him and his brother were killed by an impatient drunk f***ing asshole.

He didn't pass away, he was murdered. My heart goes out to his family.

The headline needs to change. He didn't "pass away".

The Gaudreau brothers were as good as murdered by a savage who should never walk free for the rest of his life.

I feel like the title of this thread is grossly inaccurate. He did not pass away. He was at the very least killed, if not murdered by a drunk driver. Just beyond comprehension and horrible news to wake up to. Cant imagine what that family is dealing with now losing two children/brothers at the same time.

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

Does seeing he "passed away" piss anyone else off? He was f***ing murdered.

I hope this guy gets jail for life, what is the sentencing in cases like this normally?

I'm devastated, this one hit home so hard... I'm just in shock, sad as f***

Rip Johnny Hockey this is so brutal I'm sick.

Sorry guys. I’ve updated the thread title.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Condolences to their families - especially the young kids who will grow up not knowing their fathers. Just unbelievable tragedy.

 

[seafoam]

We have the worst rate of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths of all industrialized nations. I believe we’re tied with Pakistan. F-ing Pakistan? Your comment just excuses that fact.

Many communities across the US require a vehicle to navigate.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I can guarantee you that this guy is having the worst morning of his life right now. Unless he's an absolute psychopath, he's torturing himself over the reckless decisions he made and he should be.

Hopefully the weight of what he's done is hitting him in the face harder than that hangover probably is.

Zero sympathy from me though.

 

[Naych_PHX]

The driver sounds like a piece of garbage. Impatient drunk piece of shit driving like that on a two-way road..

While I agree with you for the most part (confirmed drunk?) at least he did stay at the scene and will be held accountable.

 

[Timeless Winter]

The driver, identified as Sean Higgins, is suspected of being intoxicated and is in custody, New Jersey State Police told NBC4. He has been charged with two counts of death by auto and is being held in custody at the Salem County Correctional Facility.

 

[Konnan511]

People don't know the legal term of murder. Unless the driver purposefully went out of their way to cause the death of these two men, then it is not murder. If anything, this is vehicular homicide or manslaughter. This is so incredibly sad. I feel for the city of Columbus and their family. My heart goes out to all.

 

[WillTheThrill]

Not just a driver, a DRUNK driver!

 

[KingsFan7824]

That drinking and driving is still an issue in today's society is so frustrating and worrisome.

You can say that about any sudden death that could've been avoidable due to someone's actions prior to it. You'd have to either ban alcohol, which we know doesn't wirk, or you have to make every new or old vehicle not start until the driver, or any person in the car, uses a breathalyzer. Not just alcohol, but any drug.

 

[Slimmy]

Awful, awful, awful..

 

[StickShift]

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.​

My god. I am so angry.

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

 

[Torontonian]

Tragic news, a brother/husband/dad/son lost due to a selfish decision to drive drunk.

 

[ShootIt]

Man, I bike around NJ and have had a few close calls with very bad drivers. Honestly, I think I need to re-evaluate continuing my cycling hobby.

You're really in a vulnerable position on the road and have no idea when a driver is under the influence or going to do something unpredictable. I wear a helmet, but with the size of cars these days, you're more likely to get dragged under rather than end up on top of the hood if hit.

I've been sideswiped while on a bike but walked away with a few scratches. This spring though, I almost got completely nailed head-on at an intersection in Jersey City when a van ran a red light.

These brothers were likely out enjoying themselves and getting some exercise/fresh air. They deserved so much better. RIP.

Different type of bike, but I haven't rode since my kids were born simply due to the lack of protection from cars while riding.
Too many people out there that can't comprehend the severity of what can go wrong when you aren't focused and or mature when driving a 2-3 ton vehicle.

 

[red devil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1829514896356380704

 

[Peltz]

This guy killed two fathers. Two brothers to a sister, sons to parents. One who was a symbol to an entire city.

In an act of pure selfishness.

And he’ll get, at most, maybe 6 years in prison.

The time doesn’t fit the crime.

It really doesn't. When you're driving, you're behind an extremely powerful machine that could instantly kill someone.

People just drive so casually on their phones and shit. It makes me furious.

 

[JPT]

You can say that about any sudden death that could've been avoidable due to someone's actions prior to it. You'd have to either ban alcohol, which we know doesn't wirk, or you have to make every new or old vehicle not start until the driver, or any person in the car, uses a breathalyzer. Not just alcohol, but any drug.

Exhaustion, too. Being exhausted and driving can impair your ability to react as much as being intoxicated. We need to talk more about this stuff that people commonly do without thinking they are endangering anyone.

 

[Magic Mittens]

Damn, this is so terrible. Such an avoidable situation can't believe people are still driving and drinking like this.

Thoughts and prayers to the Gaudreau's family

 

[Peltz]

Different type of bike, but I haven't rode since my kids were born simply due to the lack of protection from cars while riding.
Too many people out there that can't comprehend the severity of what can go wrong when you aren't focused and or mature when driving a 2-3 ton vehicle.

Motorcycle?

 

[mrzeigler]

I can guarantee you that this guy is having the worst morning of his life right now. Unless he's an absolute psychopath, he's torturing himself over the reckless decisions he made and he should be.

Probably true, but this isn't the day to feel bad for the driver's mental health nor to meditate on the fact that good people can make decisions with god-awful consequences. That's best saved for after the emotion has been processed and the grieving is done.

 

[Peltz]

We have the worst rate of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths of all industrialized nations. I believe we’re tied with Pakistan. F-ing Pakistan? Your comment just excuses that fact.

I don't think his comment was meant to excuse the fact of a lack of good road infrastructure. He is just saying there's no excuse for driving under the influence.

 

[Sombastate]

Devastating and infuriating news. Under the jail for the driver.

 

[ThisIsMyAlibi]

This makes me think twice about riding my motorcycle. If Johnny Hockey can get killed instantly…

Any sense of invulnerability is clearly misguided. It’s unnecessary risk.

 

[Dr Pepper]

People don't know the legal term of murder. Unless the driver purposefully went out of their way to cause the death of these two men, then it is not murder. If anything, this is vehicular homicide or manslaughter. This is so incredibly sad. I feel for the city of Columbus and their family. My heart goes out to all.

Well he "purposefully" went out of his way to drive on the shoulder and ended up killing two people, so call it whatever you want.

 

[BigFatCat999]

1) Jesus Christ I feel bad for the family. Supposedly the brothers were there for their sisters wedding. I feel bad for the family and I feel bad for CBJ fans. This is the second holiday where they lost a player

2) get a cab get an Uber

 

[budzz]

Absolutely devastating, tragic and incomprehensible. My heart is aching for their family. This will be felt for generations for them. Just heart wrenching.

If the rumblings are true, it's even worse. For anyone that ever has a buddy that's had even 1 or 2 drinks and they say "I'm ok to drive", slap him in the head and take his keys. If that doesn't work slap him again, wrestle him to the ground, take his keys, and throw them far into a deep lake. It may cost you a friendship, but you're probably saving someone's life.