Donations to Matthew Gaudreau’s widow and their unborn baby have reached over $550K after his tragic death.
Matthew, 29, and his 31-year-old brother, Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, were tragically killed while cycling through Oldmans Township, Salem County, New Jersey last Thursday (August 29).
According to New Jersey State Police, an alleged drunk driver by the name of Sean Higgins attempted to pass another car and instead, fatally hit the brothers, as reported by PEOPLE.
The driver has since been jailed and was charged with two counts of death by auto and arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
Johnny, who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League, left behind his wife Meredith and their two children, Noa, one, and seven-month-old son Johnny.
Meanwhile, Matthew and his wife Madeline were expecting their first child, son Tripp, later this year. Their due date is December 31, 2024, as noted in an online baby registry.
In a verified GoFundMe set up to support Madeline and baby Tripp, the Gaudreau family said they were “heartbroken” following the “tragic and unfathomable loss” of the two brothers, who both played professional hockey.
"Although no amount of money can ease the pain of loss, your support on any level will help take some of the financial weight off the Gaudreau family as they navigate this journey," they penned. "All donations raised will be transferred directly to Madeline to help pay for funeral expenses and baby Tripp."
As of this writing, $579,633 has been raised, exceeding the original $30,000 target.
Both brothers played hockey at Boston College before turning pro. In 2022, Matthew played for the East Coast Hockey League’s Worcester Railers, while Johnny played for the Calgary Flames and later the Blue Jackets throughout his 11-year NHL career.
Hours before the heartbreaking incident, the Gaudreau siblings had been at a family wedding rehearsal, as they were set to be groomsmen in the wedding of their sister, Katie Gaudreau, as she prepared to marry hockey player Devin Joyce in Gloucester City, NJ.
The ceremony - which was supposed to take place the following day (August 30) - was canceled.
Katie opened up about her loss in a post shared on Instagram on Monday (September 2), which featured a series of pictures of her with her brothers, along with various family members and her fiancé.
"To know these two was to love these two. There are absolutely no words I have to express the bond my family shared. The entire world knows there would never have been a John without Matty or Matty without John," she wrote.
"The absolute best big brothers a little girl could have asked for. This will never be a goodbye post because I will never stop saying your names and honoring you both. I’ll take the best care of Mom, Dad, Kristen, Mer, Madeline, and your babies," she concluded.
The grieving family also issued a heartbreaking statement to WBZ-TV reporter Dan Roche which read: "Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers-in-law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans,"
"We want to let everyone know we are receiving 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 period of grief," they continued.
It was signed off: "From all our families and the bottom of our hearts the Gaudreau, Morris, Korbitz, Venello, and Joyce Families."
Our thoughts continue to go out to the Gaudreau family and the brothers' loved ones at this time.
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