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Johnny Gaudreau’s brother, Matthew, was an expectant father when the siblings were killed by an alleged drunk driver
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Johnny Gaudreau’s brother, Matthew, was an expectant father when the siblings were killed by an alleged drunk driver

Madeline Gaudreau, whose husband Matthew was killed by a drunk driver along with his NHL brother Johnny Gaudreau on Thursday, is pregnant.

The couple were expecting their first child, Little Tripp, in December, Madeline’s sister wrote in a heartbreaking GoFundMe post.


Matthew Gaudreau died Thursday along with NHL star brother Johnny Gaudreau Gofundme

“During this unimaginably difficult time, we are coming together to support Matthew’s wife Madeline and their growing baby Tripp and to help ease some of the financial burdens they are now facing,” the fundraiser said.

The fundraiser exceeded its $30,000 goal, raising over $100,000 within the first three hours of launch.

Matthew, 29, and Johnny, 31, were biking in their New Jersey hometown the night before their sister’s wedding when they were struck and killed by a motorist.

The driver, Sean Higgins, reportedly attempted to pass an SUV in front of him that had pulled into the center of the road to give the brothers enough space, just after 8 p.m.


Matthew Gaudreau's wife Madeline Korbitz Gaudreau is expecting the couple's first child.
Matthew Gaudreau’s wife Madeline Korbitz Gaudreau is expecting the couple’s first child. Katie Gaudreau/Instagram

Higgins attempted to pass the SUV on the right and struck the Gaudreaus from behind.

The suspected killer was suspected of being under the influence, reportedly telling a police officer he had consumed “five to six beers” before the crash.

He was jailed and charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter.

The tragedy occurred a day before the Gaudreau brothers were to serve as groomsmen at the wedding of their sister Katie to hockey player Devin Joyce in Gloucester City, N.J. The family had even held a wedding rehearsal just hours before the tragedy.

The ceremony was canceled, but the family remembered the brothers as “really two wonderful people.”

“Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends, but truly two wonderful people,” family spokesman Jim Gaudreau said in a statement Friday.

“We want everyone to know that we receive your messages of love and support and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers. We ask for your continued respect and privacy during this very difficult time of grief,” the statement continued.

Both brothers were hockey players, with Johnny playing 11 seasons for the Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames in the NHL. Last season he played in 81 games and scored 48 points.

He is survived by his wife Meredith and two children Noa, 1 year old, and Johnny, 6 months old.

Matthew signed with the New York Islanders minor league affiliate in 2017. His last professional hockey career came in 2021, when he played in Sweden and the ECHL in the US.

Matthew, 29, and Johnny, 31, were biking in their New Jersey hometown the night before their sister’s wedding when they were struck and killed by a motorist.

This is a developing story. Come back for more…