New Details After NHL Star, Brother Killed In NJ Bike Crash

OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, NJ — New details have emerged following the death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, who were killed while biking last week in South Jersey. The pair had been in the area for their sister's scheduled wedding, where they were set to be groomsmen.

Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed by a drunk driver Thursday night as they rode their bicycles in Oldsman Township, authorities said.

Here's the latest on what we know about the tragedy:

Pair Had An Inseparable Bond, Family Says

Matthew and Johnny grew up in Carneys Point and both still lived in Salem County. They developed on the ice together before both competing for Gloucester Catholic High School and Boston College.

Johnny became a seven-time NHL all-star, spending the last two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Matthew played minor league hockey before returning to South Jersey and becoming Gloucester Catholic's head hockey coach.

Several family members who spoke of the brothers' inseparable bond.

"To know these two was to love these two," their sister, Katie Gaudreau, said on Instagram. "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."

Johnny and Matt were each other's "biggest cheerleaders," Madeline said last weekend on Instagram. She and Johnny's widow, who has two children, have also formed a strong connection.

"We will forever share this extreme heartbreak and terrible bond," Madeline wrote. "However , the boys couldn’t have picked stronger woman as their wives and mothers of their children."

Johnny's widow, Meredith Gaudreau, called the brothers "absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other despite polar opposite personalities."

"Everyone wanted to be around them, including me," Meredith said. "I would sit back and watch John genuinely love his time with his brother. Matty, thank you for loving our babies like your own and for being such an amazing uncle and godfather. I can’t wait to return the honor when I become Tripp’s aunt."

Fundraiser For Expectant Wife Shatters Target

Matthew and his wife, Madeline, had a baby on the way.

In the wake of Matthew's death, a GoFundMe was launched to support Madeline and their future baby, Tripp.

Donations continue to come in, with 7,600 donors raising $540,385 as of this writing.
Tripp's birth is expected in December, Madeline announced several months ago on social media.
The funds will also support Matthew's funeral expenses.

"In this unimaginably difficult time, we are coming together to support Matthew's wife, Madeline and their growing baby Tripp, and help alleviate some of the financial burdens they now face. Your support will allow them the time to take off work to grieve and heal as a family," the GoFundMe says.

New Details On Man Accused Of Hitting Pair While Drunk

The driver who authorities said hit the pair is Sean M. Higgins.

Higgins, 43, of Woodstown, told state troopers at the scene that he drank five or six beers before the incident, according to the affidavit into his arrest.

He is a major in the New Jersey Army National Guard and works for a substance-abuse treatment headquartered in Pennsylvania, according to NJ Advance Media.

He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and remains in the Salem County Correctional Facility as of Monday.