Johnny Gaudreau: Columbus sports radio host rages at bosses live on air over beer ad after Blue Jackets star was killed in horror DUI crash
A Columbus sports radio host attacked his bosses on live air for allowing him to advertise Coors Light beer less than 24 hours after Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau was killed by a suspected drunk driver.
Gaudreau, a 31-year-old NHL veteran, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, were killed Thursday night after they were struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles in New Jersey, the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
The driver, 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, has been charged with two counts of motor vehicle manslaughter, with no bail or bond posted.
In documents seen by DailyMail.com, Higgins admitted to police that he had consumed “5-6 beers” before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the Gaudreau brothers.
The morning after the fatal crash, Columbus radio host Marc “Chops” Finch lost his cool after receiving complaints about a bucket of Coors Light beer that was placed on camera during Friday’s YouTube simulcast of 97.1 The Fan’s “Bishop and Friends.”
A Columbus sports radio host (pictured) attacked his bosses on live air for insisting on advertising Coors Light beer following the tragic death of Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau
Gaudreau (pictured), a 31-year-old NHL veteran, and his younger brother Matthew, 29, died Thursday night after being struck by a vehicle while riding bicycles in New Jersey
In a furious tirade delivered live on the radio, Finch pointed the finger at the “upper management” running the show, claiming they insisted that beer remain in the brewery despite Thursday’s tragedy.
“Let’s do this right now… sorry, Coors Light is in the display case,” he said. “Someone said that in the YouTube chat right now. Send the emails to upper management.
‘I respect the show that lies ahead of us [them]they took that away. Management wanted it back.
“Send it to them. Not to me. I have to sit next to you; I don’t want that today.”
Johnny, who was about to enter his third season with the Blue Jackets, and Matthew, a professional hockey player in the ECHL, were supposed to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding before the horrific crash. The wedding was then canceled on Friday.
The accident happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, just hours before Katie was to marry her partner Devin Joyce.
Sean M. Higgins, 43, admitted to police that he had consumed five to six drinks before getting behind the wheel and crashing into the Gaudreau brothers
The accident happened less than three miles from Matthew’s (left) and Johnny’s family’s home
Higgins collided with the two brothers after he swerved into the southbound lane to pass the vehicles in front of him
Higgins, a decorated U.S. Army officer and father of two, was driving two cars behind the Gaudreau brothers north on County Road 551 when he turned into the southbound lane to pass the vehicles ahead of him. He passed one with ease and was about to pass the second — an SUV — when its driver veered into the center of the road to safely pass Johnny and Matthew.
He then returned to the northbound lane, running over and killing them both.
On Friday, police released a photo of him with glazed eyes after he was arrested and charged.
Higgins made his first appearance before a judge in Salem County Superior Court via video link on Friday, where he appeared to sigh in shameful frustration after being ordered to remain in custody until next Thursday.
After Judge Michael J. Silvanio told him he would have to remain in jail for six more days, he could be heard asking in disbelief, “So… I’m here until Thursday?”
Silvanio then explained that the usual 72-hour detention period had been extended because of the long weekend. Higgins leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh, despite the fact that he is charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter in a traffic accident.
Johnny is survived by his wife Meredith (right) and their two children; daughter Noa (second from right), one, and six-month-old son Johnny (second from left)
Matthew’s tragic death came just over three years after he married his wife Madeline (right)
He appeared on video link wearing a dark green vest with Velcro on the shoulders and a bandage on his wrist. He appeared expressionless as the judge told how the accident cost the lives of the Gaudreau brothers.
Johnny’s wife Meredith broke her silence on Saturday following the devastating loss of her husband and brother-in-law.
Along with a selection of photos of the couple and their two children – daughter Noa, one, and six-month-old son Johnny – Meredith wrote: ‘The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving.
“The best partner to get through parenthood with. John never missed an appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him.
“We’re going to make you proud. We love you so much, Daddy.”
Meredith paid tribute to Johnny in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Saturday after his death
She described the Blue Jackets star as “the absolute best dad” while sharing family photos
It has also been revealed that Matthew’s wife Madeline is currently pregnant with their first child
Meredith and Johnny tied the knot in September 2021, a year after the hockey player proposed.
In October 2022, they welcomed their first child, daughter Noa, after which their son Johnny was born in February of this year.
Meanwhile, Johnny’s brother Matthew leaves behind his wife Madeline, just over three years after their wedding.
To add to the tragedy, it has been revealed that Madeline is currently pregnant with the couple’s first child.
A GoFundMe page set up to support Madeline during her pregnancy following Matthew’s death reached $300,000 on Saturday.