Judge Allows Driver’s Pre-Trial Statements in Case of Fatal Crash That Killed Professional Hockey Player and His Brother

New Jersey judge allowed the driver accused of killing Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew to testify for the prosecution. The Gaudreau brothers were biking in Salem County when Sean M. Higgins, 44, was charged with the fatal August 2024 crash.

Higgins’ lawyers requested suppressed crash and interview police statements. The defense claimed that Higgins was never read his Miranda rights and that questioning should have stopped when he expressed uncertainty about seeking legal counsel. His defense motion claimed the questioning violated his counsel and self-incrimination rights.

Hour-long formal interview and police body-camera footage were shown at the hearing. Higgins drank “five or six beers” the day of the crash and two while driving, according to footage. He tells officers, “I hit ’em, I hit ’em,” in video. Higgins’ blood alcohol was.087 percent, above New Jersey’s.08. His reckless attempt to pass other vehicles on the right hit the brothers biking on the shoulder, witnesses said.

The defence claimed that Higgins’ knee surgery affected field sobriety tests and that the brothers may have cycled without lights and had high blood alcohol levels. According to the prosecution, Higgins drove dangerously and was impaired, but the brothers were riding safely in a single file before the crash. Court rejected defense claims and ruled statements were legally obtained and admissible at trial.

This decision lets prosecutors show the jury Higgins’ drinking and driving admissions and scene remarks, hurting his defense. Higgins remains in custody during trial preparations. All charges could earn him 70 years.

The Gaudreau family and supporters see the ruling as accountability. State impairment and violent negligence claims must be denied by Higgins’ lawyers. The trial will determine if Higgins’ drunk driving and actions killed two young men, one of whom played in the NHL.

Case shows drunk driving dangers and legal consequences of death. If the accused’s rights were respected, tragic statements to law enforcement may be admissible.

Sources
AP News
Reuters
6ABC