Widow of Matthew Gaudreau gives birth to couple's first child
PHILADELPHIA - Madeline Gaudreau, the widow of local hockey star Matthew Gaudreau who was killed by a suspected drunk driver while riding bikes with his brother Johnny, gave birth to the couple's first child.
Madeline shared a photo on Instagram showing her holding the newborn's hand with the caption "Tripp Matthew Mommy & Daddy’s world."
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau returned home to Salem County in August for their sister's wedding, and were riding bikes on a rural New Jersey road when they were killed by accused drunk driver Sean Higgins.
Investigators say two slower-moving vehicles driving in front of Higgins briefly used the oncoming lane to safely pass by the cycling Gaudreau brothers on the shoulder of the road when Higgins allegedly tried to pass on the right and caused the fatal collision.
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Judge extends time to indict driver accused of killing Gaudreau brothers
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, as they were cycling on a rural New Jersey road briefly appeared in court Tuesday, where the judge extended the window for prosecutors to seek an indictment.
Higgins, who was above the legal limit and failed a field sobriety test, admitted to having 5-6 beers before getting behind the wheel and told police he had been driving around talking to a friend on the phone after an upsetting conversation with his mother.
He was charged with two counts of death by auto, reckless driving, possession of an open container, and consuming alcohol in a vehicle.
Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were fixtures in the New Jersey hockey scene, having both gone to Gloucester Catholic High School. Their father was the school's hockey coach for more than a decade.
The brothers each went to Boston College, and shared the ice for one season. Johnny went on to play 11 NHL seasons for the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew last played professionally for the Worcester Railers in 2022.