'Unimaginable tragedy': NHL's Johnny Gaudreau dead at 31, Columbus Blue Jackets confirm
CTV
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed Thursday night in what the team is calling an 'unimaginable tragedy.'
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau was killed Thursday night in what the team is calling an “unimaginable tragedy.”
He was 31.
His brother Matthew, a retired professional hockey player, was also killed in the accident. He was 29.
CBS News Philadelphia reports the two brothers were riding their bicycles in Salem County, N.J., Thursday night when they were struck by a man driving a jeep. Local police also confirmed the crash.
“Police said the driver, 43-year-old Sean Higgins of Woodstown, N.J., attempted to pass a slower vehicle when he hit the Gaudreau brothers,” CBS Philadelphia said. “Higgins was detained under suspicion he was under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto.”
The Blue Jackets released a statement Friday morning saying the team is “shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy.”
“Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend,” the team said. “Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice.”
