Statements made to police by the driver charged with hitting and killing hockey star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother in Salem County last year will not be barred from his trial, a judge ruled Monday.

The ruling was a blow to the defense of Sean M. Higgins , 44, of Pilesgrove, the driver accused of being intoxicated when he struck NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother, Matthew R. Gaudreau, 29.

The brothers, who were biking along a rural road in Oldmans, died at the scene.

Higgins admitted he was driving, telling a state trooper, “I hit ‘em, I hit ‘em, I hit ‘em,” according to police body camera footage shown in court.

Higgins’ attorneys filed a motion in June arguing that all statements he made to police after the crash should be barred because he wasn’t read his Miranda

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