The younger sister of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau is opening up about the devastating moment she learned her brothers had died; and the message she has for others.
Johnny and Matthew were biking together in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on Aug. 29, when they were struck by a vehicle.
In a statement shared with People, the New Jersey State Police say the driver of the vehicle, identified as 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, “fatally struck the brothers as he attempted to pass another vehicle.”
On the day Higgins was scheduled to appear in court for his detention hearing, Johnny and Matthew’s sister, Katie Gaudreau took to Instagram to detail the moment she learned about her brothers’ deaths.
“That day,” she wrote in the caption. “Right in the middle of getting ready for the best day of my life the unthinkable happens that will change my life forever.”
“I remember a week ago being in the hotel sitting with family and texting Devin about how we forgot to practice our dip. To think that was our biggest worry at this moment when in just a split second and a phone call later our lives would forever change,” Katie continued.
“Remember to tell your people you love them,” she urged others. “I would do anything to tell my big brothers I love them one more time.”
Both Matthew and Johnny were supposed to be groomsmen in Katie’s wedding.
Higgins is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol and was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto. After his detention hearing was postponed, he is now expected in court on Sept. 13, NJ.com reports.
Six days after their deaths, Johnny’s wife Meredith Gaudreau celebrated their third wedding anniversary.
“I never post this much but John deserves it. 3 years ago today I became yours forever. One of the best days of my life, including the night we got engaged and the days we brought our babies into the world,” she wrote.
“The day I met you I remember saying to myself, ‘omg, I’m going to marry him.’ And every day after that kept getting better and better. I love you forever John and I am so proud to be your wife.”
