Tragically, just hours before their sister’s wedding, NHL players Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in an accident.
Johnny and Matthew were in their New Jersey hometown to celebrate their sister Katie’s wedding. On Thursday, August 29, they went out for a bike ride and were struck by a suspected drunk driver at 8:19 p.m.
According to Page Six, the driver, who had been drinking and had five or six beers before the incident, tried to pass two slow-moving cars but instead crashed into the brothers from behind. The driver has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Further details reveal that Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith and their children, Noa and Johnny. Matthew’s wife, Madeline, was expecting their first child, a son named Tripp. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Madeline and the baby.
Page Six also noted that Katie has canceled the wedding, which was set for Friday, August 30, where Johnny and Matthew were to be groomsmen.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, Johnny’s team, expressed their profound sorrow in a statement on Friday.
“The Columbus Blue Jackets are deeply shocked and heartbroken by this devastating tragedy. Johnny was not only an outstanding hockey player but also a loving husband.”