Hearing held to suppress statements in Gaudreau brothers fatal crash case
Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio scheduled closing arguments in the Miranda hearing for Nov. 10.
SALEM, N.J. (WPVI) -- The man accused of hitting and killing brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau while they were bicycling in Salem County made a court appearance Wednesday as his defense team seeks to suppress initial statements made to police after the crash.
Attorneys for Sean Higgins, 44, of Woodstown, argue that his Miranda rights were violated.
Four New Jersey State Police troopers testified during the hours-long hearing, which included the viewing of body-camera footage and new interviews with Higgins.
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Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio scheduled closing arguments in the Miranda hearing for Nov. 10.
Earlier this summer, Silvanio denied two separate motions to suppress evidence obtained from Higgins' vehicle, ruling that proper protocol was followed during the post-crash search.
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Johnny, 31, and Matthew, 29, were struck while riding near their hometown on Aug. 29, 2024.
Higgins was found beside his damaged vehicle about a quarter mile from the crash site.
A driver who was in front of Higgins told police that Higgins had been driving aggressively. When she and the vehicle ahead of her slowed down and moved left to go around the cyclists, Higgins sped up and veered right, striking the Gaudreaus, she said.
"I've been drinking beers," Higgins told police before performing field sobriety tests. In the video, Higgins stated that he had about "five or six" beers starting around noon on the day of the crash.
"I haven't had one in like two hours," he can be heard saying to troopers on the side of the road.
Police say Higgins had a blood-alcohol level of .087, which is above the state's .08 legal limit, and he failed a field sobriety test. During previous hearings, defense lawyers noted that Higgins had a recent knee surgery that likely impacted the field test.
He is charged with two counts each of reckless vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, evidence tampering, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
If convicted on all counts, Higgins faces up to 70 years in prison. His attorneys have rejected a plea deal offering 35 years.
Johnny Gaudreau, known as "Johnny Hockey," was preparing for his third season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after eight seasons with the Calgary Flames. Matthew Gaudreau played hockey at Boston College and was working as a high school coach.
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