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

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Can't imagine what the family's going through.
RIP.

Don't drink & drive. Give bikers space. Your extra 2 seconds saved aren't worth anyone's life. Now you're charged with 2 counts of murder I assume.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

One of the more shocking NHL news stories I can recall. What a catastrophe for that family.

I recently spent some time in the suburban Delaware Valley region and driving around those country roads at night was creepy. Not a lot of light, people driving at very high speeds as a matter of habit, not a lot of space on the roads either.

 

[DANOZ28]

very sad news RIP

 

[JPT]

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.

In the past couple of weeks I've seen at least two people on motorcycles passing between cars and otherwise driving in a way that puts way too much faith in the ability of even the most cautious drivers to be able to recognize and react to the person on the bike. Then you add into the mix the sheer amount of people who simply don't pay attention. When I see that kind of thing I wish I could stop them and drill into their heads that they're in enough danger on the road on a bike without adding more into the mix.

 

[Pig Papi]

Damn, that's a shocker. Both of them.

That's incredibly sad.

RIP

 

[SoupNazi]

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.

I have been a road cycler for years. Since my son was born over two years ago, I can count on one hand the number of times I have ridden it on the road. There are too many drivers like this out there and I have too much to lose now. It’s really a shame it comes to that, but it does. Roads aren’t safe for anyone.

 

[Fogelhund]

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.

Terrible tragedy... I feel bad on so many levels here. I feel bad for the family, to have two young men ripped away senselessly. I feel terrible for the sister whose wedding was to be today. Surely cancelled, but even at some time in the future, will the stink ever get off of it? It's just so sad. I feel bad for family and friends, and fans of Columbus and Calgary.. he was such a likable guy, and skilled player.

Like Peltz here... I've been a cyclist for decades too. I've had my close calls, friends injured, and known of others killed riding. I was supposed to go on a tour Sunday... I just can't do it now... I don't know if I can get back on the bike again.

 

[Tuggy]

​

​

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.​

​

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

This line...so sounds like the guy was having some alcohol induced road rage thinking the SUV was trying to stop him. So this POS probably tried to speed up and didn't see the brothers.

 

[5 Minute Major]

We hear it, we agree with it but we don’t dwell in it because we can’t, but life is precious and can be so fleeting.

RIP to the Gaudreau brothers.

 

[FiveFourteenSixOne]

Man, as an Oiler fan, I f***ing hated Johnny Hockey -- but this...this is too much, man. I read that his sister was getting married today.

For a family to lose two sons/husbands/fathers in a split second, is absolutely sickening.

I actually feel gutted, for them.

Bullshit like this is why I could never believe in theism.

 

[Peltz]

Sounds like driver was driving aggressively and passing cars in the oncoming lane and shoulder

Yeah he can die in prison

Just last night, I was on the road with my wife (in a car) doing 65 on the highway, and the car behind us was flashing his brights and honking for not going faster. Then weaved around in traffic and gave us the finger while pealing away doing like 90. We ended up being right behind him at a red light a few miles later.

Good job f***face, you got to the same traffic stop 2 minutes faster. You endangered everyone and accomplished nothing in the process.

 

[Neil Racki]

Enjoy yourself
Its later than you think

Rest in peace Johnny and Matthew

Sudden avoidable ones are hard to accept as a human. Cancer, heart disease, strokes ... those are baked into the contract of life .. but riding a bike? FFS we should be able to ride bikes.

 

[JPT]

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.

I don't believe I said I feel bad for him. In fact, I said he should be torturing himself right now.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Caught me completely off guard scrolling through social media and discovering the news. Didn’t seem real. Absolutely tragic

 

[mel]

I drive back and forth from Long Island to New York City with my family a lot and the amount of asshole drivers I see trying to pass cars that are going slower is insane. It's horrible that two lives were taken because someone was drunk and impatient.

 

[beowulf]

Terrible news RIP.

 

[McDreamy]

Absolutely devastated to hear this story. RIP to Johnny and his brother.

 

[takimaki]

Many communities across the US require a vehicle to navigate.

The bicycle/pedestrian fatality rate per capita is less in Canada and Australia, similar car-based countries. And they’re trending better, while we’re getting worse.

I just don’t understand why Americans continually excuse this. Even when you have tragedies like this with Johnny Hockey, still the excuses pop up. Ridiculous.

 

[WhataKnight]

This is goddamned brutal. Every time it happens. A father, a kid, anybody….no one should be run down by a drunk driver.

Words won’t cut it. I can’t express how I feel for what the family’s going through.

 

[theanomaly]

dam. sorry to hear about this. rip johnny. you will be missed. condolences to their friends and family.

pretty crazy that this happened about 5 minutes from my workplace.

morons drinking and driving. really pisses me off...

 

[Youngguns1380]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1829513558817976512

 

[New Jersey Devils]

RIP Johnny and Matt.

I'll never forget how electric Johnny was during the 2013 WJC. Came up so clutch on the way to gold.

 

[Devilsfan118]

NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother killed by alleged drunk driver in New Jersey

The fatal crash happened the day before Gaudreau's sister's wedding was to be held in Philadelphia.

6abc.com

This article makes me so f***ing mad. Two young men, one of whom was in the 1% of the 1% of what he did, killed by some 43-year old loser who was drunk and too impatient.

Multiple families lives ruined forever because some south jersey trash (I can say that as a fellow south jersey resident) decided to get f****d up on a Thursday night leading into a long holiday weekend and drive home. Not only drive home, but (presumably) speed on a relatively quiet road after sundown and illegally pass multiple vehicles.

I know we can't wish ill on others here on this forum so I won't do so - but I just hope the wheels of justice move very quickly on this one. Lock this loser up for the rest of his life.

 

[seafoam]

The bicycle/pedestrian fatality rate per capita is less in Canada and Australia, similar car-based countries. And they’re trending better, while we’re getting worse.

I just don’t understand why Americans continually excuse this. Even when you have tragedies like this with Johnny Hockey, still the excuses pop up. Ridiculous.

I’m not making an excuse, I was just providing context.

 

[FOurteenS inCisOr]

RIP. Thoughts and prayers to their family.