Teen accused of killing 2 girls in NJ hit-and-run to be tried as adult

The teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged hit-and-run crash in New Jersey last year has been publicly identified after prosecutors announced Friday that he will be tried as an adult.

The Union County Prosecutors Office announced that 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro of Garwood has been waived up to adult court and will be tried as an adult in connection with the murder of the two juvenile females.

Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, will now face counts of first-degree murder in the Criminal Part of Superior Court in Union County after his case was waived from juvenile court, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Battiloro’s identity had previously been withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors said his identity could now be released following the transfer to adult court.

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Prosecutors allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, struck Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis while they were riding an electric bike in Cranford at about 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025.

The two girls, who were both 17, were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead a short time later.

Battiloro was arrested following an extensive investigation and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and multiple traffic offenses, according to prosecutors.

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Two teenagers, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were killed in a hit-and-run incident in New Jersey. Police allege a 17-year-old boy is responsible. (FOX 5/Unknown)

Digital previously reported on 911 call audio and police reports obtained through a public records request showing the suspect was released to his father after the alleged hit-and-run.

The records also show Battiloro’s father contacted law enforcement after the crash.

In a previous statement to Digital, Union County Prosecutors Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said Battiloro was detained for questioning after the incident and later released. He was arrested two days later, on Oct. 1.

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Foulla Niotis speaks in an exclusive interview urging prosecutors to try the teen suspect as an adult after her daughter Maria and friend Isabella Salas were killed by a stalker in New Jersey. ()

One caller told 911 dispatchers that a 2021 black Jeep Compass — which police said Battiloro was driving — “flew down the road and hit people,” adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.

The same caller also reported that there was “someone underneath a car.”

“This is really bad,” the caller said.

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Police officers gather at the scene where two teenagers were killed. ()

“Nobody’s conscious,” another 911 caller said. “Everyone’s stunned, not moving.”

“There’s a girl on the road, and there’s a car! Oh my God, please hurry!” another caller said.

Maria Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis, previously told that she believes the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.

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A memorial was set up for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. ()

She also alleged local police failed to act after the family reported that Battiloro had been stalking her daughter before the crash.

“They should have done a lot. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said. “They didn’t do anything to help my baby.”

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“I want justice for Maria and Isabella,” she added. “That’s what I want.”

Digital’s Adam Sabes and ‘ Eric Shawn contributed to this report.