Following the tragic deaths of Columbus Blue Jackers star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, the family released a statement on Friday.
“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers … two friends, but truly two amazing humans,” Jim Gaudreau, uncle to both Johnny and Matthew, said in a statement, per Michael Russo of The Athletic.
New Jersey State police said the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving an SUV in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind. They were pronounced dead on the scene.
Police said the driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was jailed at the Salem County Correctional Facility.
Johnny, often referred to as “Johnny Hockey” by fans, played 11 NHL seasons and was set to enter his third with the Blue Jackets after spending the first nine years of his career with the Calgary Flames.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were natives of New Jersey and were scheduled to be groomsmen at their sister Katie’s wedding on Friday in Philadelphia.
“We want to let everyone know we are receiving your messages and love and support,” Jim continued. “We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued privacy during this very difficult period of grief.”
— with files from the Associated Press