Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed in New Jersey
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The widow of late NHL star Johnny Gaudreau announced at the memorial service for him and his brother on Monday that she is pregnant with their third child.
Meredith Gaudreau spoke at the service, calling the pregnancy a "total surprise." She said she was able to tell her husband before he died and his reaction was heartwarming.
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Mourners gather for a candlelight vigil to remember Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 4, 2024. Gaudreau, along with his brother, Matthew, died in a bicycle crash. (Adam Cairns-Imagn Images via Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network)
"John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life," she said, via ABC News. "There's specifically one week that I will cherish forever – it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We're actually a family of five. I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby."
Their oldest child, a girl, will turn 2 years old later this month. Their youngest, a boy, was born earlier this year.
"In less than three years of marriage, we've created a family of five," Meredith added. "It doesn't even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John's three babies? Our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances."
A makeshift memorial for NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, Sept. 5, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
FUNDRAISER FOR PREGNANT WIFE OF MATTHEW GAUDREAU RAISES MORE THAN $350,000
Supporters remember hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, Sept. 5, 2024, in Oldmans Township, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Johnny, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Matthew Gaudreau were killed in Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bikes. Their deaths came on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.
Madeline Gaudreau, Matthew’s wife, is also pregnant.
Sean M. Higgins was arrested in the incident. He was charged with two counts of death by auto, along with reckless driving, possession of an open container and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Johnny Gaudreau of the Blue Jackets after scoring the game-tying goal against the Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena on Jan. 31, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
"This is a tragedy involving a great deal of emotion and impacting many individuals," Higgins’ lawyers, Matthew Portella and Richard Kineburger III, said in a joint statement. "It is too early in the stages of the legal process to make any out-of-court statements."
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
