Introduction: Johnny Gaudreau,

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny
Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were
killed Thursday when they were struck by

a car while cycling, New Jersey
State Police said in a statement Friday.
Johnny Gaudreau was 31 years old.

Matthew was 29 years old.
According to police, the driver of a Jeep
Grand Cherokee was attempting to overtake

an SUV traveling on the right when he left
two pedal-powered cyclists, the Gaudelias,
behind him. Police who responded to

the scene in Oldmans, New Jersey, at 8:19 p.m.
said both Godlors suffered fatal injuries
and were pronounced dead at the scene,

about 55 miles south of Philadelphia.
The driver, Sean Higgins, 43, was charged
with reckless driving, possession of an open

container, possession of alcohol in a vehicle
and two counts of homicide by motor vehicle.
According to the affidavit, Higgins told police

he had drunk five or six beers before the accident
and believed the other vehicle was trying to cut him
off, so he tried to pull over to the right side of the SUV.

He told police that his alcohol consumption led to
“high spirits and reckless driving.” According to
the affidavit, Higgins failed a field sobriety test.

Former Flames player Blake Coleman wrote:

“Absolutely devastated. The world has lost a great man.”
“I don’t know why I’m writing this now,
I’m shaking, but Johnny was one of my

favorite teammates I ever played with,” former goalkeeper Eddie Locke said. “He is always happy, always has a positive atmosphere around him. Rest in peace my friend and pray for your wonderful family. I hug my loved ones.”

Gaudreau has been married to his wife Meredith since 2021, and they have two children under the age of 2: Noah, born in September 2022, and Johnny, born in February.

Gaudreau’s death is the latest off-ice tragedy to hit the Blue Jackets in recent years. Goaltender Matis Kivlenic died in July 2021 after an exploding firecracker struck him in the chest at the wedding of then-Blue Jackets goalie coach Manny Legace’s daughter in Michigan.