NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29 k!lled in horror New Jersey bicycle accident ‘just hours before their sister’s wedding’

Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau and brother Matthew were tragically killed in a bicycle accident close to their hometown in New Jersey on Thursday night.  Gaudreau, a 31-year-old NHL veteran who had spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jackets, was believed to have been cycling with younger sibling Matthew, 29, on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding when the fatal crash occurred just before 8:30pm in Oldmans Township, Salem County.

The two brothers were struck and killed by another vehicle on Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane, according to details from local news station 6 ABC.  Police say that the driver – 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey – is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond.

In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to cops that he drank ‘5-6 beers’ before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the back of Johnny and Matthew on Thursday night.

NHL star Johnny Gaudreau was tragically killed in a bike accident with his brother after being hit by an alleged drunk driver (Pictured: Gaudreau with wife Meredith and their two children)

Officers also allege that he showed signs of being drunk and admitted to drinking ‘prior to and while operating his vehicle’.  While reeking of alcohol, Higgins is said to have told them that ‘his consumption of alcoholic beverages contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.’

The Gaudreau brothers died the night before their sister Katie’s wedding, where they were expected to be groomsmen on the day.  Johnny leaves behind wife Meredith, whom he married in September 2021, and two young children in one-year-old daughter Noa and baby boy Johnny, who was born just six months ago.  It is believed Meredith was due to be a maid of honor at her sister-in-law’s wedding this weekend.  Matthew, meanwhile, leaves behind wife Madeline just over three years on from their wedding in New Jersey.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, New Jersey State Police Troopers confirmed they responded to a motor vehicle crash at 8:19 pm. on County Route 551 North, milepost 11.1 Oldmans Township, Salem County.  ‘Based on a preliminary investigation, two pedalcyclists, John M. Gaudreau, a 31-year-old male from Carneys Point, N.J., and Matthew R. Gaudreau, a 29-year-old male from Pedricktown, N.J., were traveling north on County Route 551, close to the fog line of the roadway,’ the statement reads.

‘Sean M. Higgins, a 43-year-old male from Woodstown, N.J., was traveling north on CR 551 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee behind a sedan and SUV. Higgins attempted to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes of travel, passed the slower-moving sedan, and attempted to re-enter the northbound lanes of travel when the SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the two pedalcyclist traveling north on the right side of the roadway.

‘Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedalcyclists sustained fatal injuries.  ‘Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, charged with two counts of death by auto, and lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility. This crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available.’

Columbus released a statement confirming their player’s passing on Friday morning, admitting they will ‘miss him terribly’ while expressing their sympathy for his family.  ‘The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,’ the statement reads. ‘Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.’

‘Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.  ‘He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.

‘Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedalcyclists in the rear. As a result of the collision, the two pedalcyclists sustained fatal injuries.  ‘Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, charged with two counts of death by auto, and lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility. This crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available.’

Columbus released a statement confirming their player’s passing on Friday morning, admitting they will ‘miss him terribly’ while expressing their sympathy for his family.  ‘The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,’ the statement reads. ‘Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.’

‘Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.  ‘He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.

Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.  ‘At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve.’  Johnny had played 11 professional seasons in the league and was going into his third with the Blue Jackets. He played his first nine with the Calgary Flames, a tenure that included becoming one of the sport’s top players and a fan favorite across North America.

At 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he was part of a generation of hockey players who thrived in an era of speed and skill that made being undersized less of a disadvantage. He scored 20-plus goals six times and was a 115-point player in 2021-22 as a first-time NHL All-Star when he had a career-best 40 goals and 75 assists.

Gaudreau helped Boston College win the NCAA championship in 2012 and in 2014 took home the Hobey Baker Award as the top college player in the country before becoming a fourth-round pick of Calgary’s in 2011.  As a professional, he was part of the NHL all-rookie team during his first season in the league and was third in voting for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2014-15

Gaudreau was a point-a-game player with 642 points in 644 regular-season and playoff games since breaking into the league. He most recently signed a seven-year contract in 2022 worth nearly $69 million that put him and his young family in central Ohio, closer to his family in New Jersey.

He holds the men’s world championship records by a U.S. player with 30 assists and 43 points, earlier this year breaking marks previously held by Patrick Kane.  Matthew, meanwhile, was a professional hockey player in the ECHL, most recently playing for the Worcester Railers in the 2021-22 season. He also spent a season with the Reading Royals.  NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement after the death of the Gaudreau brothers, saying the league is ‘shocked and saddened’ by the tragic news.

‘While Johnny’s infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname ‘Johnny Hockey’, he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path,’ Bettman said.

‘We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sistters Kristen and Katie. And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.’

Johnny and Meredith tied the knot just over a year after the hockey forward proposed, though it is unclear when or how the couple first met.  They welcomed their first child, daughter Noa, in October 2022 before Meredith gave birth to son Johnny in February of this year.