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Matthew Gaudreau's widow gives birth to his son just four months after he was killed on August 31, after being hit drunk driver in Oldmans Township, New Jersey in an incident that also killed his brother, Johnny, who played in the NHL.
The two brothers were on their bikes when they were hit and it killed the 31-year-old Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the 29-year-old Matthew at the scene, who left behind a pregnant and widowed wife and was excited to become a father.
Whilst he is gone, his partner has just announced the birth of their son called Tripp and Madeline Gaudreau said Matthew played a hand in naming him as she posted a photo of the infant holding her hand.
"The moment we found out about our son, Tripp, it consumed his every day," Madeline previously said of Matthew. "He was ing apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brands. Making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John[ny]."
When is Sean Higgins on trial?
The man accused of causing the fatal accident by striking the brothers from behind had a blood alcohol content above the state limit and was charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide.
The Gaudreau's had been returning home from their sister's wedding when Sean Higgins struck the pair in a Jeep Grand Cherokee shortly after driving dangerously by trying to overtake a sedan. His wife later revealed he has a history of road rage and aggressive driving, prosecutors claimed.
Higgins was charged with the deaths on August 29 and later appeared in court Salem County court on November 12, 2024 for a pre-indictment, where the period for a grand indictment was expanded by 30 days, as per NBC Philadelphia.
No new court dates were set by Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio, but he did say that if the grand jury agrees to indict Higgins then he will be summoned back to court for a hearing at that time.
The 44-year-old faces 20 years in prison for the incident, and he has been denied bond and remained in Salem County jail on the basis that there are is no monetary or non-monetary value that could "ensure the statutory goals".