Johnny Gaudreau dies: What we know about the tragic reported accident that killed the Blue Jackets star and his brother

The world was shocked by news on Friday morning that Columbus Blue Jackets star forward Johnny Gaudreau had died on Thursday night at the age of 31.

It’s a horrible, stunning loss of a player and person loved by so many, who was in the middle of an already-stellar career. But it wasn’t just him who died. We also have to mention that his brother, 29-year-old Matthew Gaudreau was killed as well.

With information and rumors swirling on Thursday night on social media before official word on Friday morning, here’s everything we know about the tragic accident that killed the Gaudreau brothers:

Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau were killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes

Per NBC Philadelphia:

John Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding their bikes north on County Route 551 in Oldmans Township on Thursday at 8:19 p.m. At the same time, Sean Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, New Jersey, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee north on County Route 551, according to investigators.

Higgins tried to pass two vehicles ahead of him and entered the southbound lanes, police said. An SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the roadway, splitting the north and south lanes in order to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers as they rode their bikes on the right side of the road, according to investigators.

The driver was reportedly arrested and charged with two counts of driving under the influence and death by auto

ESPN's Mike Greenburg announced Johnny Gaudreau's passing on Get Up. Within that, he said the driver of the car was arrested and charged with two counts each of driving under the influence and death by auto. #CBJ

— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) August 30, 2024

They were back home in New Jersey for their sister’s wedding

From the Columbus Dispatch:

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.