Tragic Hit-and-Run Claims Lives of Two Teens

The families of two teenage girls have accused a 17-year-old boy of killing them in a hit-and-run incident. Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, suffered fatal injuries while riding an electric bike on Monday, as reported by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Upon arriving at a local hospital, the girls were pronounced dead. The driver, from Garwood, New Jersey, faces two counts of first-degree murder. Officials indicated that he was behind the wheel of a 2021 Black Jeep Compass during the incident.

Speaking to FOX 5, the family expressed their belief that the suspect had been plotting the attack on Maria for months. “The man cowardly, who had been planning this attack on Maria for months, did this horrifying act, taking both Maria’s and Isabella’s lives,” they stated. They emphasized that it wasn’t just a tragic accident but a calculated act of murder.

At a press conference on Thursday, Maria’s mother conveyed the deep sorrow of her loss, describing it as “a silence that reflects more than anything.” She said, “I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.”

A neighbor shared troubling insights, noting that the suspect had been lingering near one of the girls’ homes for several months, seemingly unnoticed by school staff or law enforcement. “He’d been parked outside her house for three months now,” the neighbor remarked, adding that complaints had been made without any action taken.

Family friend Tammy Carvajal echoed similar frustrations, saying it was “just a tragedy.” Police Chief Christopher Battiloro from Westfield issued a statement, clarifying that while social media placed the accused in the spotlight, he is not a personal relative of the chief’s family. “I will never tolerate, defend or excuse any behavior that led to this tragic loss,” he stated, reflecting on the loss of Isabella Salas, a vibrant young woman.