Matthew Gaudreau's pregnant wife says she will 'keep going for our son'

• Matthew Gaudreau's pregnant wife posted an Instagram post on Saturday, August 31, in which she wrote that she will “carry on” for him and their unborn boy after his death on August 29
• Matthew died alongside his NHL star brother Johnny Gaudreau while cycling in New Jersey
• Sean M. Higgins was arrested and charged with two counts of negligent homicide, police said

Matthew Gaudreau's wife paid a touching final tribute to her late husband after he tragically died along with his brother Johnny while on a bike ride on Thursday, August 29.

On Saturday, August 31, Madeline Gaudreau, who is pregnant with the couple's first child, posted on Instagram saying that after his death, she would “carry on” for him and their unborn boy.

Alongside a photo of the couple wrapping their arms around each other, Madeline wrote: “I am at a loss for words. I just miss you. I don't know my life without you. I have never known such pain. I am so glad you chose me as your wife… that you love me. You are the best thing about me. I know you are looking down with as much pain as I am looking up. I will carry on for you and our son.”

“I love you so much Matthew,” Madeline concluded the post.

A second post of the hand-holding couple, shared on Sunday, September 1, captioned it: “The best 14 years of my life 🤍 I will cherish these years and you for the rest of my life.”

A baby registry with Madeline and Matthew's names lists their due date as December 31, 2024. Madeline shared the baby news in an Instagram post back in June.

“Baby Gaudreau is coming in December 🤍🌈,” Madeline captioned a black-and-white photo of the duo holding hands while a series of ultrasound pictures of their unborn baby hang from the back pocket of Madeline's jeans.

On Friday, August 30, a verified GoFundMe page was set up to support Madeline and the baby, who will be named Tripp.

“It is with great pain that we share the devastating news that the Gaudreau family has suffered a tragic and unfathomable loss. On August 29, 2024, Matthew and his brother John were killed in a car accident,” the GoFundMe page states.

“During this unimaginably difficult time, we are coming together to support Matthew's wife Madeline and their growing baby Tripp and to help alleviate some of the financial burdens they now face. Your support will allow them time off from work to grieve and heal as a family.”

“All donations raised will be sent directly to Madeline to help pay for funeral expenses and baby Tripp,” the page's description continued.

At the time of publication, the site had raised over $495,000.

Matthew and NHL star Johnny, who played professionally for the Columbus Blue Jackets, were killed around 8 p.m. Thursday when a driver believed to be under the influence of alcohol fatally struck both brothers, New Jersey State Police told PEOPLE.

Authorities identified the driver as Sean M. Higgins. He was arrested and charged with two counts of negligent homicide, police said.

Johnny leaves behind his wife Meredith and their two children – daughter Noa, who turns 2 in October, and son Johnny, 7 months.

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The brothers were in New Jersey ahead of their sister Katie's wedding, which was scheduled for August 30, according to the wedding website. The brothers were listed as groomsmen for the wedding ceremony.

In a second Instagram post on September 1, Madeline praised the siblings' special bond.

“It was always Matty and John. I can't even put into words the bond between these two and right now I don't have the strength to. They were each other's biggest cheerleaders. Matt looked up to John in many ways, but most importantly, he was a father to Noa and Johnny,” Madeline wrote, among other things.

Madeline then turned to Johnny's wife and added, “To Meredith – we will share this extreme grief and terrible bond forever…the boys, however, could not have chosen a stronger woman to be their wives and mothers of their children. We will carry each other through every season…as the boys would for each other. They blessed us with children…through them, we will always have a part of them with us on earth. I love you, my handsome husband, I love you, John, I love you, Meredith, I love you, Noa, I love you, Johnny, and I love you, baby Tripp.”