Driver responsible for death of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau identified and arrested

According to reports, the Gaudreau brothers were going to be attending their sisters wedding at 1:45PM on Friday, August 30, and were set to tie the knot for her marriage.

Both brothers were gone for a bike ride and 10 minutes away from their home when they were struck by a drunk driver. The driver has been arrested on two accounts of driving under the influence, causing death to the brothers.

Sean Higgins, 43, has been identified as the alleged drunk driver arrested. He reportedly attempted to pass two vehicles that were 'driving slow' which were heading in the same direction as the Gaudreau brothers, striking them.

Gary Bettman, the NHL's commissioner issued his own statement on his behalf of the NHL, as follows:

«The National Hockey League family is shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. While Johnny's infectious spirit for the game and show-stopping skills on the ice earned him the nickname 'Johnny Hockey,' he was more than just a dazzling hockey player; he was a doting father and beloved husband, son, brother and teammate who endeared himself to every person fortunate enough to have crossed his path.

"Gaudreau often told the story of how his father taught him to skate as a child in his home state of New Jersey and he carried that same youthful passion throughout his 11 NHL seasons. A skilled playmaker, Gaudreau participated in the NHL All-Star Game seven times where he was always a fan favorite, particularly while showcasing his talents in the various skills competitions for which he was so well suited.

«He will be remembered fondly in Calgary, where he played his first nine seasons with the Flames from 2013-14 to 2021-22, emerging as one of our League's brightest young stars while compiling the franchise's fifth-highest career points total. His loss also will be felt profoundly in Columbus, the city in which he chose to settle his family and where he was one of the respected, veteran leaders of a club building toward the playoffs. And both Johnny and Matthew will be mourned at Boston College, where they were teammates the year Johnny won the Hobey Baker Award in 2013-14, and at Gloucester Catholic High School in New Jersey, where both played and where Matthew was the head hockey coach following his own five-year pro playing career.

«We send our most heart-felt condolences to his wife Meredith; their children, Noa and Johnny; his parents, Guy and Jane; and sisters Kristen and Katie. And we grieve alongside his teammates, members of the Blue Jackets and Flames organizations, his many friends in hockey and countless fans around the world for whom he created indelible memories on and off the ice.»

We would like to send our condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Info/sourced: Person responsible of Johnny Gaudreau's passing has been arrested