Judge Rules Higgins Statements Admissible in Gaudreau Case

A New Jersey judge ruled on Monday that statements made by Sean M. Higgins to police immediately after a fatal crash that killed NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew will be admissible at his trial, dealing a significant setback to the defense.

Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio in Salem County determined that Higgins' comments, captured on body camera footage, were obtained lawfully and voluntarily. The 44-year-old Higgins faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and two counts of second-degree reckless vehicular homicide, stemming from the August 29, 2024, incident on Route 551 in Oldmans Township. If convicted on all counts, he could receive up to 70 years in prison. Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty, rejected a plea deal in January that would have resulted in a 35-year sentence.

The crash occurred around 8:15 p.m. as Higgins drove northbound and attempted to pass vehicles on the right side of the road. Witnesses described his driving as erratic, with his Jeep partially on the grass when it struck the brothers, who were riding bicycles single-file along the fog line, the solid white edge of the roadway. Johnny...