COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets will host a candlelight vigil in remembrance of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau at Nationwide arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Brothers Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau were tragically killed in a bike accident on Aug. 29 in New Jersey. They were in the area for their sister Katie’s wedding, scheduled for Aug. 30 in Philadelphia.
According to police, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road when a man driving in the same direction attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the driver, Sean M. Higgins, was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and charged with two counts of death by auto and jailed.
Johnny Gaudreau, 31, was the team’s top forward. He signed with the team in July 2022 as an unrestricted free agent from the Calgary Flames with a seven-year, $68.25 million deal. He was the top scorer for the Blue Jackets two years in a row, taking the team 12-48-60 in 81 games last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
