Tragic Incident Claims Lives of Two Teenagers

Foula Niotis shared her heart-wrenching experience, stating that her family had felt something ominous was coming. It’s been a nightmare for them. Her 17-year-old daughter, Maria, along with her best friend Isabella Salas, lost their lives when Maria’s stalker ran them over. Despite numerous complaints made to the police over several months, little action was taken. Now, some sources indicate that Foula has faced death threats for speaking out, and she is advocating for the case against the teenage suspect to be moved to criminal court.

“I believe he should be tried as an adult. He was fully aware of his actions,” she expressed, with a deep sense of urgency. “I want justice for these two beautiful girls, my daughters.”

Allegations of Pre-Meditation

According to family claims, the teenage suspect had been planning the tragic hit-and-run for months prior to the incident. Reports suggest that the Jeep involved was traveling at a dangerously high speed of 110 mph when it struck the girls, who were riding electric bicycles in Cranford, New Jersey. The driver, identified as 17-year-old Vincent Battilolo, had allegedly stalked Maria for around three months.

“I was never informed of any options available to me. I couldn’t even file for a restraining order,” Foula recounted. “I was met with comments like, ‘Oh, he’s just a boy.’

While the police have not disclosed the driver’s name, they did confirm that he has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Due to the suspect’s age, the case is being managed by the juvenile justice system, limiting the release of information.

“What we want is for the truth to come out,” said Brent Bramnick, the attorney representing the Niotis family. “This is a grieving family in unimaginable pain. The entire community is impacted, and it raises a lot of troubling questions that deserve answers.”

Foula shared that there had been several troubling incidents involving police before the crash, which left her feeling helpless. She noted that Battilolo had parked outside their home for months, and in prior confrontations, the police had just allowed him to drive away.

Calls for Legislative Change

At present, New Jersey laws do not permit restraining orders against minors. In response to this tragedy, a petition created by local teenagers on Change.org aims to change that law, seeking to lower the age for eligible restraining orders to 15. The petition has garnered nearly 7,000 signatures.

“As students in Cranford, we were devastated by the loss of our friend and alarmed to realize our laws fall short in protecting us from stalkers,” the petition states. “No one should endure the loss our community has faced. Changes like these could save lives.”

Under certain circumstances, the law allows for juvenile cases to be transferred to adult court. Bramnick believes that the events leading up to María and Isabella’s deaths warrant heightened charges.

“Multiple incidents occurred before this tragedy, and we are left wondering what actions were taken,” he noted.

The family has reached out to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, requesting an investigation into the matter.

Community Reactions and Sentiments

The Cranford Police Department has deferred comments to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which remains tight-lipped as the investigation continues. Attempts to reach Battilolo’s family for comment have been unsuccessful.

Foula described Maria with heartfelt emotion, declaring, “She was a genuinely kind person who cared for everyone. She couldn’t stand to see anyone being bullied. She was a beacon of light, always lighting up a room with her smile. I miss that so much.”