New Jersey Teen Indicted for Allegedly Killing Two Girls
In a case that has drawn significant attention, an 18-year-old from New Jersey, Vincent Battiloro, is facing charges after a dashcam recording seemingly shows him deliberately striking two teenage girls on an e-bike. This recording could bolster prosecutors’ arguments regarding his intent, according to the attorney representing the family of one of the victims.
A grand jury in Union County has officially charged Battiloro with two counts of first-degree murder following the deaths of 17-year-olds Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas on September 29, 2025. The tragedy unfolded on a residential street in Cranford, where Battiloro was reportedly speeding—up to 70 mph on a 25 mph road—when he hit the girls from behind as they rode together on an electric bicycle.
Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’s family, highlighted the importance of the dashcam footage in establishing that the collision was intentional rather than accidental. “It’s going to require piecing together all the evidence to demonstrate what Battiloro was thinking at the time,” he remarked, noting that it’s all about establishing the murder charges beyond mere reckless driving accusations.
In addition to the murder charges, Battiloro faced citations for speeding, reckless driving, and other infractions, which were indicative of his dangerous driving behavior. However, the prosecution will need to prove that he intended to cause the girls’ deaths.
Authorities revealed that after the incident, Battiloro fled the scene on foot, leaving his abandoned vehicle behind. He has also been cited for several additional violations, including improper license plates and failing to have proof of a driver’s license.
Stalking Allegations
Concerningly, there are allegations that Battiloro had been stalking Niotis prior to the crash. Her mother, Foulla Niotis, stated that she had reported Battiloro’s behavior to the police but felt that no adequate action had been taken. “Nobody said to me if there was anything I could do…,” she expressed, highlighting a sense of frustration with the lack of response from law enforcement.
Following an initial questioning after the crash, Battiloro was released, claiming he had been carjacked. It wasn’t until the dashcam footage was reviewed that police acted to arrest him, charging him as an adult in the process.
As the case progresses, Bramnick remains confident in the evidence supporting the murder charges, stating, “We believe that the intention was to commit those murders.” Battiloro is currently held in custody, with a future arraignment scheduled for October 27 at the Union County Courthouse.
The unfolding events have understandably left the victim’s families seeking justice, as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones and push for accountability.
