HOCKEY star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed by an alleged drunk driver just hours before their sister's wedding.
Johnny, a 31-year-old winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matt, 29, were biking in New Jersey on Thursday night when they were hit by a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
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Sean Higgins, 43, has been arrested in the brothers' deaths.
The Gaudreau brothers were riding bikes "close to the fog line of the roadway" as Higgins drove north on the same road, police told The U.S. Sun.
At one point, an SUV in front of Higgins moved to the middle of the road to safely pass the bicyclists.
"Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the two pedal cyclists in the rear," cops said.
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Both Johnny and Matt suffered fatal injuries.
Cops said Higgins was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide.
He allegedly admitted to having five or six beers before the fatal crash.
Higgins was booked at the Salem County Correctional Facility and made his first appearance in court on Friday.
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Video of the hearing showed him sigh as a judge told him that he'd be in jail until his next hearing on September 5.
“So…I’m here until Thursday?” Higgins asked.
The judge then explained that the routine 72-hour holding period was extended because it was a holiday weekend.
FAMILY HEARTBREAK
The two brothers were set to celebrate their sister Katie Gaudreau's wedding in Philadelphia on Friday, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
Both men were going to serve as groomsmen while Johnny's wife, Meredith, was set to be maid-of-honor.
The bride-to-be excitedly posted a picture on her Instagram of a rehearsal ceremony on Thursday and shared a throwback post by a friend that said "T-1 day till she says I do."
The Gaudreau family mourned the two brothers in an emotional statement shared by their uncle.
“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 human beings,” the family said.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers."
Full statment from Columbus Blue Jackets
"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.
"He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.
"Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.
"At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve."
Earlier this year, Gaudreau and Meredith welcomed their second child, named Johnny after his father.
"Love you @johngaudreau03 - 2 under 2 life here we comeeee," Meredith excitedly wrote in an Instagram post announcing the birth of their first son.
DEVASTATING LOSS
The Columbus Blue Jackets paid tribute to Johnny and Matt in an emotional statementas news of the brothers' deaths spread.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy," the team wrote.
"Johnny was not only a greathockeyplayer, 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, theirfamilyand friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew."
Meanwhile, fans posted tributes and prayers on Gaudreau's Instagram page and under the team's official statement.
"The hockey world will be hurting for a long time," one wrote as others called the Blue Jackets star a "legend" of the sport.
"Wow this is gut-wrenching. Rest in peace Johnny and Matthew," another wrote.
I'm just been sitting here sobbing.
Fan
On Gaudreau's Instagram page, one fan commented saying, "You're the reason I wear #13."
"Way too early Johnny, you got some fight in ya, so sorry for family," another said.
"I'm just been sitting here sobbing over Johnny Gaudreau," a third added as they called the situation unfair.
Matthew, 29, was also an ice hockey player who was formerly with the Worcester Railers before he retired.
"My heart is destroyed," a fan wrote under his latest Instagram post of his honeymoon in 2022.
The hockey star was two years into his seven-year contract with the Blue Jackets that he signed for $68.2 million.
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He has been praised by Union and Blue for "producing offense entirely on his own" after a slow start to the season and for taking the lead for the team in terms of scoring with 18 points ahead of the next forward.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the New Jersey Police Department and the Blue Jackets for comment.
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