Madeline Gaudreau, widow of Matthew Gaudreau, announces birth of son, Tripp
Matthew and his brother, Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, died after they were hit by an alleged drunk driver in N.J. Both Madeline and Johnny’s widow, Meredith, were pregnant at the time.
Madeline Gaudreau, the widow of Matthew Gaudreau, announced Sunday on Instagram that she gave birth to their son, Tripp Matthew.
Matthew and his brother, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau, were killed on Aug. 29 after the two while bike riding were hit by an alleged drunk driver, Sean Higgins, in Oldmans Township, Salem County. Both Madeline and Johnny’s widow, Meredith, were pregnant at the time, and both brothers were scheduled to be groomsmen in their sister’s wedding the following day.
» READ MORE: Family, NHL community provide moving send-off for Gaudreau brothers: ‘To know both of them was to truly love them’
“He was born to be a dad,” Madeline said about Matthew at the memorial service in September. “The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins, and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.”
Matthew and Johnny grew up playing for the Little Flyers in South Jersey, and later at Gloucester Catholic. Matthew also played for the Flyers’ ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals.
Higgins was indicted on Dec. 11 by a Salem County grand jury on two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, one count of fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence, and one count of second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
The Flyers honored the Gaudreau brothers on Dec. 21 before hosting the Blue Jackets, inviting the Gaudreau family to drop the ceremonial puck pregame.