Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith pays tribute to brother-in-law Matthew after brothers' tragic deaths in DUI crash

The wife of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau has honored her brother-in-law Matthew after the siblings' tragic death this week.

Gaudreau, 31, and younger brother Matthew, 29, were killed in a bicycle accident on Thursday night after being struck by an alleged drink driver in New Jersey.

The pair died on the eve of their sister Katie's wedding, where they were both set to be groomsmen on Friday. The wedding was subsequently cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.

Johnny's wife Meredith, who was also expected to be a maid of honor on the day, paid tribute to her husband's brother in a touching, yet heartbreaking, post on Instagram, as she paid tribute to their brotherly bond.   

'John and Matty. U don’t hear one name without the other. Always side by side. Even in large group settings, u can find them hip to hip,' the mother-of-two wrote alongside a series of family photos. 

The wife of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau (second back left) has honored her brother-in-law Matthew (back left)

Johnny's widow Meredith (pictured right) shared a post paying tribute to her brother-in-law

Gaudreau (right), 31, and younger brother Matthew (left), 29, were both killed after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while out cycling in New Jersey on Thursday night 

'John’s younger brother- but he looked up to Matty and relied on him for everythinggg. And Matty was always there. 

'Absolute best friends and biggest fans of each other despite polar opposite personalities. Everyone wanted to be around them, including me. 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. I don’t think John could live a day without you so I’m comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven. Please continue to take care of John like you always have. I got Madeline and Tripp. We love you very much.'

Meredith and Johnny tied the knot in September 2021, one year after the hockey player proposed. 

They welcomed first child, daughter Noa, in October 2022 before son Johnny was born in February of this year.

Johnny's brother Matthew, meanwhile, leaves behind wife Madeline just over three years on from their wedding.

To add to the tragedy, it has been revealed that Madeline is currently five-months pregnant with the couple's first child, a son, Tripp, who is due to arrive in December. 

A fundraiser titled 'Support Madeline and Baby Tripp After Tragedy' was organized by Holland Korbitz on Friday with a target of $30,000. As of Saturday, it had hit $300,000.

Meredith shared a series of family photos, including one from the christening of her child 

The widow included a photo of Matthew and his wife, Madeline (right)

In a touching, yet heartbreaking, post on Instagram, as she paid tribute to their brotherly bond

Meredith had broken her silence on her late husband's death on Saturday, hailing Johnny as the 'best dad in the world.'

She shared a selection of photos of the couple and their two children - daughter Noa, one, and six-month-old son Johnny. 

Johnny, an NHL veteran who was about to enter his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Matthew, a professional hockey player in the ECHL, were struck and killed by another vehicle, driven by 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins of Woodstown, New Jersey, who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. 

The crash happened less than three miles from the Gaudreau family home, hours before Katie was due to marry partner Devin Joyce.

Higgins, a decorated US Army officer and father-of-two, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide with no bail or bond. 

He was two cars behind the Gaudreau brothers, driving north on County Road 551, when he veered into the southbound lane to overtake the vehicles in front of him. He passed one with ease and was about to overtake the second - an SUV - when its driver veered into the middle of the road to safely pass Johnny and Matthew. 

Higgins then cut back into the northbound lane - knocking them both down and killing them. 

In documents seen by DailyMail.com, he admitted to cops that he drank '5-6 beers' before getting behind the wheel of his Jeep Grand Cherokee and crashing into the back of the Gaudreau brothers.

The couple's daughter Noa was born in October 2022, just over a year on from their wedding

The hockey player only welcomed second child Johnny (pictured) in February of this year

On Friday, police released a photo of him looking glassy-eyed in his mugshot after he was arrested and charged.

Higgins then made his first court appearance on Friday in Salem County Court via video link, where he outrageously appeared to sigh in frustration after being ordered to stay in custody until next Thursday.

After being told by judge Michael J. Silvanio that he must remain in jail for another six days, he could be heard asking in apparent disbelief: 'So… I’m here until Thursday?'

Silvanio then explained that the usual 72-hour holding period was being extended due to the holiday weekend, prompting Higgins to lean back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh - despite the fact he is facing two counts of second degree vehicle manslaughter.

He appeared on the video link wearing a dark-green vest with velcro on the shoulders and a bandage on his wrist and appeared expressionless as the judge recounted how the accident claimed the lives of the Gaudreau brothers.

Pittsburgh Penguins star Kevin Hayes posted a touching tribute to his fallen college hockey teammate Gaudreau three years after the tragic loss of his own brother, former NHLer Jimmy Hayes.

Sean M. Higgins, who is accused of killing the Gaudreau brothers while under the influence of alcohol in a horror crash, admitted he had 'five or six' drinks before getting behind the wheel

Higgins knocked down and killed the pair after veering into the southbound lane to overtake the vehicles in front of him 

He seemed to sigh in frustration after being ordered to stay in jail until next Thursday after appearing in court via video link on Friday 

On his Instagram story, Kevin posted a photo of Gaudreau reaching out to give Hayes' nephew, Beau, a high five. 

Beau's father is Jimmy, who passed away in August 2021, the day after his son's second birthday. 

'Love you John!' Hayes said on Instagram. 'Say hello to Beau's Dad for me.' 

Gaudreau and Hayes were teammates at Boston College, but the pair of NHL veterans never played on the same professional team.