Former Boston College players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau killed by alleged drunk driver

Former Boston College players Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau were killed Thursday night in New Jersey after a suspected drunk driver hit them while they were bicycling.

According to reports, the brothers were together for the weekend to celebrate their sister, Katie, who was set to be married on Friday in New Jersey, followed by a reception in Philadelphia. Both brothers were groomsmen for the wedding.

Johnny, 31, was a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played at BC from 2011-14 and won the Hobey Baker Award in his final season.

Matthew, 29, played at BC from 2013-17 and was most recently a member of the Worcester Railers before retiring from playing in 2022. He was the head coach at Gloucester (N.J.) high school last season.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Thursday on Pennsville Auburn Road in Oldmans Township. The Gaudreau brothers were traveling north on the side of the roadway.

According to reports, 43-year-old Sean Higgins was traveling north in a Jeep Grand Cherokee while attempting to pass a slower-moving sedan and SUV. He passed the sedan by entering the southbound lanes of the road. When he attempted to pass the SUV, the SUV moved to the middle of the road to safely pass the Gaudreau brothers, who were biking on the right side. Higgins then attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the Gaudreau brothers from behind, police said.

Higgins allegedly told police he consumed “five or six beers” before the crash. According to the criminal complaint, he told police that he thought the SUV moved to the middle to prevent him from passing. He told police that his “consumption of alcohol contributed to his impatience and reckless driving.” Higgins also failed a field sobriety test.

Higgins has been charged with two counts of death by auto, police said. He is being held in Salem County Correctional Facility.

McMahon: This is an unspeakable tragedy. My thoughts and condolences to the Gaudreau family and everyone in the BC hockey community. I’m not sure if Matthew was married, but I know Johnny was married with two young children.

Just awful, awful news.

I also can’t help but think of Kevin Hayes. In recent years, Hayes has lost his brother Jimmy and now Gaudreau, whom I know he was close to.

Every tragic passing is sad, but this is particularly more difficult for me to stomach. The Gaudreau brothers weren’t doing anything wrong. They were killed due to someone else’s recklessness.

Hug your loved ones ... you never know when your time might be up.