The widow of Johnny Gaudreau has finally spoken out after the tragic passing of the NHL star.
Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were fatally struck by Sean M. Higgins while they were cycling on a New Jersey highway around 8pm on Thursday.
The brothers were heading north on County Road 551 in Salem County when the alleged drunk driver, in his Jeep, hit them while overtaking two cars, the second of which was an SUV.
As the SUV moved over to give the cyclists space, Higgins, who reportedly told officers he had consumed ‘five to six’ beers, tried to pass at the same moment.
In a fit of rage, Higgins drove up the inside, unaware that 29-year-old Matthew, soon to be a father, and Johnny, a father of two, were cycling on the road’s edge—colliding with both of them.
Meredith Gaudreau, the Columbus Blue Jackets player’s wife, has now taken to Instagram to pay tribute to her late husband and the father of their children, sharing two heartfelt posts for the first time since the loss.
In her first post, she wrote: “Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true.
I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”
The second post was captioned: “The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with.
“John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”
Johnny and Matthew were set to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the morning after they were killed.
Higgins, now facing two counts of death by auto, appeared in Salem County Court via video link on Friday.
Judge Michael J. Silvanio informed Higgins that he would remain in custody for six more days. According to the Daily Mail, Higgins responded in disbelief: “So… I’m here until Thursday.”
The judge explained that the holding period had been extended due to the holiday weekend, after which Higgins leaned back and sighed heavily, as reported by the publication.