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

[EdJovanovski]

RIP Johnny & Matthew.
Prayers for their souls and for their family & friends. Many people having an awful time right now, Kevin Hayes just lost his brother and now his best friend. The Jackets have now lost 2 players in 3 years. He had a newborn baby and another very young child, and apparently the reason the family was together was his sisters wedding was supposed to be today

 

[Sasha Orlov]

What a tragedy, just unbelievable

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Tragic and very upsetting. It was just last year that John Hockey got married and his sisters wedding is tomorrow. My heart's go out to his family.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Wow this is awful. He was my favourite player ever. So sad right now

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Many communities across the US require a vehicle to navigate.

Doesn't mean you have to use your vehicle to run over a cyclist.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Pardon my French, but: what in the f***?

 

[seabass45]

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.

I live in JC and have a bike, don't use it here anymore. The drivers are absolutely awful, just constantly running red lights, weaving around traffic, flying through turns when they don't have the right of way. Even walking around I've had to practice extra awareness to account for recklessness from drivers. The way this incident was described seemed very familiar to me, it's extremely common.

 

[LemonSauceD]

When I was 21, I drove drunk and crashed my car into a pole. I’m 33 now and I regret drunk driving so f***ing much because it could’ve easily been someone else on the other end of it.

Driving drunk is just super selfish and shortsighted. There’s just absolutely no excuse for it and if I had killed someone back then I’d want the book thrown at me as well.

 

[Guess]

My condolences to everyone affected. Just tragic

 

[RedWingzz]

RIP Johnny Hockey

One of my favorite players to watch. I ordered a Flames Gaudreau jersey for myself and for my 9 month old son like a month ago.

So tragic

 

[The Red Line]

I feel sick about this. So tragic. Just unbelievable news.

 

[2ndGenIslander]

People drive like absolute morons all over this country, f*** outta here with this nonsense.

I've driven in something like 30 states before, i can tell you the Northeast, especially NY/NJ is among the worst in terms of aggression. its like everyone is 5 minutes late to an important interview at all times

 

[Indrid Cold]

Doesn't mean you have to use your vehicle to run over a cyclist.

So, you are insinuating that this was 'first degree' vehicular homicide?

 

[mydnyte]

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"

If i'm going to be honest, I expect the guys lawyer to pretty much get him off lightly, as there is almost no justice for the victims families in these types of crimes.
Legally speaking in terms of 'murder' it would be murder in the 3rd degree (aka manslaughter, and still has life in jail on the table) as he would not have got into the car with the intention to kill someone.
However, he was only charged with 'death by auto' (aka Vehicular Homicide) which has a max of 10 years, and a 200k fine in NJ.

Death by Auto or Vessel is considered a second-degree crime (Second-Degree Felony) in New Jersey. If convicted, there is a “presumption of incarceration,” and sentencing can range anywhere between five and ten years. Additionally, the court will also impose a minimum prison term which will be the greatest of three years or one-third to one-half of the original sentence if:

• You refused to submit to a breath test.
• You violated the DWI/DUI laws in New Jersey.

so, he'll likely only serve 3 years

 

[Sasha Orlov]

It's easy to destroy the man since there is alcohol involved, would people feel the same if he was using his phone instead of having a drink?. Looking at his mugshot, he doesn't look out of it. This sounds to me like aggressive driving. Throw in the fact that it was either dark or dusk and possibly raining, it's a tragic accident. Terrible judgment by driver, poor judgment by the two brothers.

There’s still time to delete this

 

[clydesdale line]

Absolutely horrific. I can't even imagine.

 

[SI90]

 

[shaner8989]

Special person Johny was. Can say he personally took my cousin under his wing in Calgary and showed him the ropes. They shared a special bond rooming together for 2 years.

 

[takimaki]

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

Yeah sorry, I’m just really angry like many other people here this morning.

 

[Laus723]

My neighbor’s son is in a coma after getting into a wreck last Friday on his street legal dirt bike. Looks like he’ll make it, but no one is sure what his mental state will be. Now the Gaudreau brothers have passed due to a two getting hit while on a regular bike.

feel like I need to call everyone I know and tell them to stay off two wheels.

Beyond awful. Most just don’t take enough time to appreciate how fragile life is.

 

[bucks_oil]

This is heartbreaking. Reading the report (drunk f-er passing on the inside after 5-6 beers?!? )… I can’t even express my rage.

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

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

So, you are insinuating that this was 'first degree' vehicular homicide?

No, I'm insinuating that just because you're required to drive doesn't mean that you have to drive like a moron, and you definitely shouldn't drive intoxicated. There's more than just you on the road, and you're not the only person with somewhere to be. It's an easily avoidable tragedy if you're not a dumbf***.

 

[DekeyPete]

Horrifying

RIP

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

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.

Most of us don't. Please don't confuse some narcistic social media responses or posts on the internet as how the majority think. Today's society has a complete sense of entitlement that has infected it's very core.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

This is so tragic. Condolences to their family.