NHL Star Johnny Gaudreau, Brother Killed By Drunk Driver In NJ: Police

OLDSMAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were fatally struck Thursday night in South Jersey by a man suspected of intoxicated driving, authorities confirmed to Patch.

The crash happened at 8:19 p.m. in Oldsman Township, Salem County, according to State Police. The driver who hit them — identified as Sean M. Higgins, 43, of Woodstown — was charged with two counts of death by auto.

Johnny Gaudreau played 11 NHL seasons, most recently for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The team called their deaths an "unimaginable tragedy" in a statement Friday morning.

Johnny was 31, and Matthew was 29. They grew up in Carneys Point and both still lived in Salem County.

They were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister's wedding Friday in Philadelphia, according to a wedding listing. Their sister is marrying a man who played hockey for Gloucester Catholic High School, where Johnny and Matthew also competed.

During the crash, Johnny and Matt Gaudreau were biking up Route 551 North, close to a fog line on the roadway, police said. Higgins was driving in the same direction, behind a sedan and SUV.

Higgins tried to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, police said. He entered the southbound lanes, passed the sedan and moved back to the northbound side. The SUV in front of Higgins then moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the Gaudreaus, authorities said.

Higgins then tried to pass the SUV on the right and struck the victims on their bicycles, police said. The Gaudreaus were pronounced dead at the scene.

After the crash, a state trooper smelled alcohol in Higgins's breath. The suspect told police that he drank five or six beers before the accident, according to the affidavit into Higgins's arrest.

Higgins was arrested after failing sobriety tests at the scene, the affidavit says.

Troopers took Higgins to State Police Woodstown Station. A judge authorized a blood test, and Higgins was brought to Inspira Medical Center Mannington for a blood sample, the affidavit says. Test results for blood-alcohol levels typically take several weeks to process.

Higgins is incarcerated in the Salem County Correctional Facility as of this writing. The investigation remains active, police said.

Johnny Gaudreau was a seven-time NHL all-star, playing his first nine seasons with the Calgary Flames before joining the Blue Jackets in 2022.

Matthew competed at Boston College with Johnny and later played minor league hockey. After five years playing pro hockey, Matthew became Gloucester Catholic's head hockey coach, according to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Bettman called Johnny "more than just a dazzling hockey player."

"Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons," Bettman said in a statement. "A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited."

The brothers have been "a source of great pride in Gloucester Catholic's close-knit community," the school said.

"Johnny and Matt truly loved Gloucester Catholic, and the entire Gaudreau family have always been loyal and dedicated supporters of Gloucester Catholic," the institution said in a statement. "Along with their incredible talents on the ice they will be remembered even more by our GC Family as loving sons, brothers, fathers, husbands, friends and role models."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.