ege Eagles celebrate after defeating the Northeastern University Huskies to win the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament championship game. Getty Images

The judge asked Higgins a series of questions Monday about whether he understood what it meant to reject the plea deal.

 Yes, sir,  Higgins told the judge after several questions.

Higgins is accused of mowing down the Gaudreau brothers - both married fathers - with his black SUV as they were cycling on the side of the road in Oldmans Township on Aug. 29, 2024.

Chilling new photos were revealed Monday of the mangled bikes the Gaudreaus were riding when they were hit. Additional images also showed Higgins' banged-up black Jeep Grand Cherokee.

4 Johnny Gaudreau, right, poses with his wife Meredith and their children. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were fatally struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding bicycles in Oldmans Township, N.J. @meredithgaudreau_/Instagram

New schematics of the scene before and after the crash were also released by the defense, which said they cast doubt on whether Higgins was reckless when he struck the men.

The siblings were on their way back from their sister's wedding rehearsal dinner. She had been scheduled to marry the next day.

Jury selection is set to begin Dec. 1, and openings statements are scheduled for early January.