Columbus Blue Jackets’ star forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, passed away on Thursday night, according to the team. The police reported that they were fatally struck while biking in Oldman’s Township, New Jersey, near their hometown in Salem County.

Gaudreau, 31, was the Blue Jackets’ top forward. According to a post on a popular wedding site, Gaudreau and his brother were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding Friday in Philadelphia. Gaudreau had two young children, a daughter, Noa, and son, Johnny, with his wife Meredith and both were born in Columbus.

How did Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau die?

According to information provided by the New Jersey State Police, the Gaudreau brothers were killed after a suspected drunk driver crashed into them on a rural road. Matthew Gaudreau was 29. Sean Higgins, the driver, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, and police charged him with two counts of death by auto and took him to the Salem County Correctional Facility. Authorities have not said when Higgins will make his initial court appearance.

According to the New Jersey State Police, a 43-year-old Higgins from Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving north on a county road in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, following a sedan and an SUV, at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Thursday.

Higgins tried to pass the slower-moving sedan and SUV, entered the southbound lanes, passed the slower-moving sedan, and tried to re-enter the northbound lanes, state troopers said. The SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers traveling north on the right side of the roadway.

Blue Jackets issue statement

The Blue Jackets’ statement:

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew. Johnny played the game with great joy, which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played, from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets.

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