In Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey, on Thursday evening (August 29), Johnny Gaudreau, who was 31 years old and played in the National Hockey League (NHL), and his brother Matthew, who was 29 years old, both passed away while riding bicycles by themselves.
The pair was hit by an automobile, according to the New Jersey State Police, who said that the driver was suspected of being inebriated.
According to further police files obtained by CBS News Philadelphia, the four young men were riding their bicycles along County Route 551 at eight o’clock in the evening when they were struck by a man who was driving a Jeep.
According to People, the driver, Sean M. Higgins, was taken into custody and charged with two charges of death by automobile-related causes of death.
According to the allegations, Higgins informed the police that he had “five to six drinks” before to the event. The fact that Johnny and Matthew had gone away the day before their sister’s wedding, for which they had been groomsmen, added to the pain that they were experiencing.
Their sister, Katie Gaudreau, and her fiance, Devin Joyce, were reportedly planning to be married on Friday, August 30 at the Parish of St. Mary in Gloucester City, New Jersey. This information was obtained via Page Six.
Following the tragic news, it is evident that the bride-to-be and groom-to-be decided to call off their wedding.
It was just three days before Katie’s brothers passed away that she posted images of herself and her fiance on Facebook with the caption “Wedding Week!!” In what way are these sixteen and seventeen-year-olds being informed that they will be getting married in only four days? “I can’t wait to tie the knot with my closest friend!”
Both of them had known each other since they were in school.
Subsequently, a great number of fans have made comments on the page, expressing their sorrow over the passing of her brothers and highlighting how awful the situation is.
On the other hand, Katie has been posting pictures from her bachelorette party in August and her bridal shower in July on her social media accounts for the last month. These pictures are part of her ongoing effort to commemorate her wedding festivities.
There was a statement released by the Gaudreau family earlier today, which read as follows: “Last night, we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two amazing humans.”
“We would want to make sure that everyone is aware that we have received your messages of love and support, and that we are grateful for your ongoing thoughts and prayers.
“During this very difficult time of loss, we request you to continue to respect us and to keep your privacy. The families of Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, Venello, and Joyce wanted to express their deepest sympathies to the Joyce family.