{"id":2335945,"date":"2024-09-03T06:38:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-03T10:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/star-hockey-player-and-brother-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-on-eve-of-sisters-wedding-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-03T06:40:26","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T10:40:26","slug":"star-hockey-player-and-brother-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-on-eve-of-sisters-wedding-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/star-hockey-player-and-brother-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-on-eve-of-sisters-wedding-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Star hockey player and brother killed by suspected drunk driver on eve of sister\u2019s wedding &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">36<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstar-hockey-player-and-brother-killed-by-suspected-drunk-driver-on-eve-of-sisters-wedding-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2335945&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>On August 29, NHL All-Star Johnny \u200dGaudreau, age 31, and his brother Matthew, age 29, were tragically killed by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/padres-blake-snell-hit-by-suspected-drunk-driver-pitches-the-next-night\/\" title=\"Padres\u2019 Blake Snell Hit By Suspected Drunk Driver, Pitches The Next Night\">suspected drunk driver<\/a> while riding bicycles in\u2063 New Jersey.\u2064 The brothers\u2063 were in their hometown \u2064for their sister&#8217;s wedding, planned for the following day. The incident \u200boccurred \u2063when Sean Higgins, the driver \u200cof a Jeep Grand\u2064 Cherokee, attempted to overtake\u2064 traffic and struck the Gaudreau brothers, who were pronounced dead at the scene. Higgins has been charged with two counts of second<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/a-tremendous-loss-georgia-citys-mayor-and-his-wife-killed-in-car-crash-by-driver-charged-with-dui\/\" title=\"\u2018A Tremendous Loss\u2019: Georgia City\u2019s Mayor And His Wife Killed In Car Crash By Driver Charged With DUI\">-degree <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/s-d-gov-calls-for-ag-resignation-as-ag-faces-criminal-charges-linked-to-2020-fatal-car-crash\/\" title=\"S.D. Gov. calls for AG resignation as AG faces criminal charges linked to 2020 fatal car crash\">vehicular homicide<\/a><\/a> after\u2064 he admitted to drinking prior to the accident.<\/p>\n<p>Johnny Gaudreau, known as &#8220;Johnny Hockey,&#8221; was a seven-time NHL All-Star \u2063who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He reportedly leaves behind \u200ca wife, Meredith, and\u200c two young children. Matthew is survived by\u200b his pregnant wife, Madeline. Both women expressed their grief and love for \u200ctheir lost husbands on social media. The tragedy has drawn attention to the\u2063 dangers of drinking and driving, as emphasized by\u200c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/brooklyn-subway-shooting-suspect-in-custody\/\" title=\"Brooklyn Subway Shooting Suspect in Custody\">law enforcement investigating<\/a> the incident.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Star hockey player and brother killed by suspected drunk driver on eve of sister&rsquo;s wedding<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1743430\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>National Hockey League All-Star Johnny Gaudreau was killed last Thursday when a suspected drunk driver struck him and his brother while they were riding bicycles on a road in New Jersey. Originally from Salem County, New Jersey, Gaudreau, 31, was visiting his hometown with his brother Matthew, 29, for his sister&rsquo;s wedding, which was scheduled for the following day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Gaudreau, affectionately known as &ldquo;Johnny Hockey&rdquo; throughout the National Hockey League,&nbsp;was a seven-time NHL All-Star who currently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was riding bicycles with his brother shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 29 along a county road in Oldmans Township in New Jersey. Sean Higgins, who was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, was stuck in traffic around the same time and tried to pass two vehicles when he hit the Gaudreau brothers and killed them, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/08\/30\/sport\/johnny-gaudreau-nhl-player-death-spt-intl\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Both Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/08\/31\/sports\/alleged-drunk-driver-who-killed-nhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-brother-matthew-is-us-army-major-who-worked-at-rehab-center-linkedin\/\">pronounced dead at the scene<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>New Jersey State Police, who investigated the accident, charged Higgins with two counts of vehicular homicide in the second degree. Higgins confessed to drinking five or six beers before the accident, according to an affidavit filed with the Salem County Superior Court Friday, multiple outlets reported. They were less than 24 hours away from being groomsmen at their sister&rsquo;s wedding in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Mr. Higgins explicitly stated to the effect that his consumption of alcoholic beverages contributed to his impatience and reckless driving, which resulted in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-american-counterpunch-governor-greg-abbott-touts-his-state-as-the-land-of-freedom-and-opportunity\/\" title=\"Exclusive -- American Counterpunch: Governor Greg Abbott Touts His State as the Land of Freedom and Opportunity\">motor vehicle accident<\/a>,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/08\/30\/sport\/johnny-gaudreau-nhl-player-death-spt-intl\/index.html\">read the affidavit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Through further investigation, Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol,&rdquo; New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron said in a news release.<\/p>\n<p>Johnny leaves behind a wife, Meredith, and their <a href=\"https:\/\/fox59.com\/news\/ap-top-headlines\/ap-nhl-player-johnny-gaudreau-and-his-brother-have-died-after-their-bicycles-were-hit-by-a-car\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two young children<\/a>, a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in February 2024. Matthew leaves behind a pregnant wife, Madeline. The couple announced they were expecting their first child in June of this year.<\/p>\n<p>Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau posted some memories and statements on Instagram over the weekend in honor of her late husbands and brothers-in-law.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;John and Matty. U don&rsquo;t hear one name without the other,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.go.com\/GMA\/Culture\/wife-nhl-star-johnny-gaudreau-speaks-after-killed\/story?id=113321819\">Meredith Gaudreau posted under pictures of her late husband and brother-in-law.<\/a> &ldquo;Always side by side. Even in large group settings, u can find them hip to hip. John&rsquo;s younger brother &ndash; but he looked up to Matty and relied on him for everythinggg. And Matty was always there. Absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other despite polar opposite personalities. Everyone wanted to be around them, including me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have no words. I just miss you,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eonline.com\/news\/1406769\/matthew-gaudreaus-pregnant-wife-madeline-shares-whats-keeping-her-going-after-his-tragic-death\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Madeline wrote on an Aug. 31 Instagram post<\/a>. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know my life without you. I have never experienced a pain like this. I am so blessed you choose me to be your wife.. to love me. you are the best thing about me. I know you are watching down in just as much pain as I am looking up. I will keep going for you and our son. I love you so much matthew.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Katie Gaudreau, the bride-to-be and younger sister of Johnny and Matthew, also posted on Instagram on Monday in honor of her brothers.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To know these two was to love these two,&rdquo; she posted on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C_awifux7YP\/\">Instagram<\/a> underneath <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/celebrity-news\/news\/johnny-and-matthew-gaudreaus-sister-katie-speaks-out-on-their-deaths\/\">photos<\/a> of her family. &ldquo;There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared. The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John. The absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for. This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I&rsquo;ll take the best care of mom, dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your babies.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Several professional sports teams that had games over the weekend held moments of silence for the Gaudreau brothers. This included the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer. <span id=\"docs-internal-guid-66851f39-7fff-9f6d-0224-cb574d97f53d\"><\/p>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: rgb(30, 30, 30); font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1743430\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1743430\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Star NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother were tragically killed by a suspected drunk driver just before their sister&#8217;s wedding. The incident occurred last Thursday in New Jersey while the brothers were cycling together. Gaudreau, 31, who was visiting his hometown with his 29-year-old brother Matthew for the wedding scheduled for the next day, was well-known in the league as &#8220;Johnny Hockey&#8221; and had been selected as an NHL All-Star seven times. <\/p>\n<p>The accident happened around 8 p.m. on August 29 in Oldmans Township when Sean Higgins attempted to overtake two vehicles stuck in traffic and collided with the Gaudreau brothers, resulting in their deaths at the scene. New Jersey State Police charged Higgins with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide after he admitted to consuming five or six beers prior to driving. <\/p>\n<p>Both brothers were set to be groomsmen at their sister&#8217;s wedding in Philadelphia less than a day later. In an affidavit, Higgins acknowledged that alcohol contributed to his reckless driving behavior leading up to the crash.<\/p>\n<p>Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their two young children\u2014a daughter born in 2022 and a son expected in February 2024\u2014while Matthew leaves behind a pregnant wife named Madeline, who announced they were expecting their first child earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>In heartfelt tributes on Instagram over the weekend, both Meredith and Madeline shared memories of their husbands and expressed profound grief over their loss. Katie Gaudreau, the bride-to-be and younger sister of Johnny and Matthew, also honored her brothers online, emphasizing how deeply loved they were within their family.<\/p>\n<p>Several professional sports teams held moments of silence during games over that weekend to pay tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2677,"featured_media":2335946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-at-5.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[26828,39954,34619,39953,13242],"class_list":["post-2335945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-drunk-driving","tag-family-loss","tag-sports-news","tag-star-player","tag-tragedy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-03-at-5.41.59%E2%80%AFAM.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2677"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2335945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2335945\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2335946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2335945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2335945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2335945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}