Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s Family File Court Order to Stop Release of Records from Deadly Accident

Mar. 15, 2025

Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Gaudreau.Photo:Christian Petersen/Getty; Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty

Christian Petersen/Getty; Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty

The family of late NHL starJohnny Gaudreauand his brotherMatthew Gaudreauare asking a New Jersey court to stop the potential release of any records related tothe brothers’ tragic deaths.NJ.comreportedThursday that the Gaudreau family filed a court motion in hopes of preventing any potential release of records, including 911 calls, videos, photos, autopsy images or investigative reports related to their deaths on Aug. 29.

The brotherswere killedwhen an alleged drunk driver crashed into them while they were riding bicycles together the night before they were set to be groomsmen in their sisterKatie Gaudreau’s wedding.

Johnny, an 11-year NHL veteran who played for the Calgary Flames and more recently for the Columbus Blue Jackets, was 31 years old. Matthew, a former hockey standout at Boston College, was 29.

Johnny Gaudreau’s Sister Katie Celebrated Her Bridal Shower Just Weeks Before Crash Killed NHL Star and Brother Matthew.Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

Johnny Gaudreau/Instagram

TheColumbus Dispatchreportedthat Higgins’ blood alcohol level was at 0.087, over the legal limit of 0.08, at the time of the crash. Prosecutors alleged in Higgins’ first court hearing that he was driving over the speed limit, the newspaper reported. Higgins also reportedly told officers he had “five to six” beers before the crash, according to theDispatch, which also reported that Higgins admitted to the crash to a relative and a friend during two phone calls he made from jail.

At the funeral, Johnny’s widowMeredithannounced she was pregnant with her and her late husband’s third child together. Johnny and Meredith share two other children: daughter Noa, who recently turned 2 years old, and Johnny, who was born in February.

“In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five,” she said during an emotional tribute to her late husband. “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."

Katie Gaudreau poses with brothers Matt and John.Katie Gaudreau/Instagram

Katie Gaudreau/Instagram

In a statement shortly after the brothers’ deaths, the Gaudreau family mourned that they had “lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brothers, two sons and brothers in law, two nephews, two cousins, two family members, two teammates, two friends but truly two amazing humans."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

source: people.com