At a Glance
- Sean Higgins’s roadside statements will be used at trial after losing an appeal
- He admitted to drinking five or six beers before striking Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau on bikes
- The appellate judge ruled Miranda rights were not violated
- Why it matters: The ruling clears a major hurdle for prosecutors preparing the manslaughter case
A New Jersey appellate judge has rejected Sean Higgins’s bid to suppress the incriminating statements he gave police after the crash that killed brothers Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, clearing the way for those admissions to be presented to a jury.
Court Rejects Miranda Challenge
Thursday’s decision stems from an appeal filed by Higgins’s attorneys challenging a November ruling that found his post-crash remarks were lawfully obtained. Defense lawyers argued New Jersey State Police had failed to properly advise Higgins of his Miranda rights before he spoke, but the appellate judge found they had not shown sufficient justification for tossing the evidence.
The ruling means jurors will hear Higgins tell troopers he had consumed five or six beers and that he was the driver who struck the Gaudreau brothers as they rode bicycles along County Route 551 in Oldmans Township on Aug. 29, 2024, at 8:19 p.m.
Fatal Crash Details
According to court documents:
- The Gaudreaus were pedaling north on the right side of the road
- An SUV ahead of Higgins moved to the center to pass the cyclists safely
- Higgins tried to pass that SUV on the left shoulder, lost control, and hit the brothers
- Both siblings died from injuries at the scene
Investigators say Higgins, who worked at a nonprofit drug-and-alcohol treatment center, failed a field-sobriety test and a trooper detected alcohol on his breath. He was charged with aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide, and related offenses.
Next Steps
With the appeal denied, the case heads toward trial where prosecutors can use Higgins’s recorded admissions alongside physical evidence and witness accounts. A date has not been set.
Key Takeaways
- Statements admitting to drinking and causing the crash will be admissible
- Higgins faces multiple felony counts carrying severe penalties
- The ruling removes a potential legal obstacle before trial
