Johnny Gaudreau (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Additional details regarding Johnny Gaudreau’s family have surfaced online following the winger’s death.
The Columbus Blue Jackets star was killed along with his brother, Matthew, while they were riding their bikes along an Oldsman Township road in New Jersey on Thursday night.
The brothers were struck by an SUV driven by a male who failed sobriety tests carried out by officers at the scene of the crash. The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was arrested and has been charged with two counts of death by auto.
Gaudreau, 31, had two young boys with his wife Meredith, a one-year-old and a six-month-old. However, it appears he was also set to be an uncle as Matthew, who was 29, was expecting a baby with his wife Madeline.
According to an online registry highlighted by TMZ, Madeline is expected to give birth in late December. The couple had set up the registry to request items from their family and friends.
Rest in peace, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/26azFewFUu
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 30, 2024
Johnny Gaudreau’s Family Were In Town For An Important Event
The Gaudreau family were gathered in New Jersey for the wedding of Katie Gaudreau, Johnny and Matthew’s sister. The brothers were supposed to be groomsmen.
The marriage, which was scheduled for this Friday, has been called off for obvious reasons.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers,” the family said in a statement made to WBZ-TV on Friday.
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans.”
Meanwhile, Higgins has made his first appearance in court and will remain in jail until his next hearing on September 5. The charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in New Jersey.
