The Columbus Blue Jackets are mourning the loss of an all-star player.
Johnny Gaudreau, a forward for the Ohio-based hockey team has died, along with his brother Matthew Gaudreau, his team confirmed. Johnny was 31, while Matthew was 29.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy,” Johnny’s team wrote in an Aug. 30 statement. “Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend.”
The Gaudreau brothers were biking on a rural New Jersey road at around 8 p.m. on the evening of Aug. 29 when Sean M. Higgins, 43, collided with them from the rear while attempting to pass another SUV traveling northbound, New Jersey sargeant Jeffrey Lebron told E! News in a statement.
Lebron added that “Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol,” and has been charged with “two counts of death by auto.” He is currently being held at Salem County Correctional Facility and the crash continues to be investigated.
E! News has reached out to attorneys for Higgins but has not yet heard back.
