2024-08-30 22:15:02
A professional hockey player and his brother, both with ties to South Jersey, have died after being struck by a suspected drunk driver while bicycling, police said.
Johnny Gaudreau, perhaps better known as “Johnny Hockey,” and his brother Matthew were hit around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 29 on a Salem County highway, according to New Jersey State Police.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, was charged with two counts of death by auto.He was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, police said.
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The charges against Higgins are only accusations, as he has not been convicted in the case.
Johnny Gaudreau was a class of 2011 Gloucester Catholic High School graduate who was inducted to the school’s hall of fame earlier this year. He was a Boston College alum and member of the Columbus Blue Jackets who played most of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames and was a member of Team USA hockey.
“Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms,” the Blue Jackets said in a news release.
“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 Matt.”
Matthew Gaudreau, who also attended Boston College, played for several years in the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League.
In a press release, state police said the Gaudreaus had been hit around Pennsville Auburn Road near Stumpy Lane in Oldmans Township.
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According to police, the driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, was traveling north on County Route 611 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Higgins allegedly entered the southbound lane in attempting to pass a slow-moving sedan and SUV.
As Higgins tried to re-enter the lane, police said, the SUV in front moved toward the middle to pass the two bicyclists safely on the right side of the road.
As Higgins re-merged into the lane, police said, he then attempted to pass the SUV on the right side of the road and struck both Gaudreau brothers, who were close to the fog line at the time.
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Higgins was lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility.
The crash remains an active investigation, and no additional information is available.
