CRANFORD, NJ — The Union County Prosecutor's Office announced on October 3, 2025, that Vincent Battiloro, 18, will be tried as an adult on two counts of first-degree murder. The charges stem from the September 29, 2025, deaths of Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis in Cranford, New Jersey.

Battiloro's case was waived from juvenile court, and he faces charges in the Criminal Part of Superior Court in Union County. A resident of Garwood, New Jersey, Battiloro was 17 at the time of the alleged incident. Prosecutors stated his identity could be released following the transfer to adult court. He has been taken into custody by the Union County Prosecutor's Office and Cranford Police Department.

Prosecutors allege Battiloro struck Salas and Niotis as they rode an electric bike at approximately 5:26 p.m. on Burnside Avenue. Both victims, 17, were taken to local hospitals and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities stated that Battiloro deliberately struck the girls.

Police reports indicate Battiloro was driving a 2021 black Jeep Compass. The vehicle continued for more than a block before becoming disabled at the intersection of Lincoln and Burnside avenues, where it was found with no driver present. According to police, officers detained Battiloro at a house a short time later and released him after questioning. He was arrested on October 1, 2025.

A 911 caller reported on September 29 that a 2021 black Jeep Compass "flew down the road and hit people." The caller stated, "There's a girl on the road, and there's a car! Oh my God, please hurry! Nobody's conscious. Everyone's stunned, not moving. This is really bad." Municipal court files indicated Battiloro was traveling at 70 mph in a 25 mph zone.

On September 30, Battiloro appeared in a video broadcast to discuss the case, which he promoted to his 40,000 TikTok followers. He was identified through 15 traffic tickets linked to the same date, time, and location.

Foulla Niotis, mother of Maria Niotis, alleged that local police failed to act after the family reported Battiloro had been stalking her daughter. "They should have done a lot. They didn't do anything," Niotis said. "They didn't do anything to help my baby." She added, "I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That's what I want." The families issued a joint statement on Friday evening, reading: "The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice." The statement also expressed gratitude to the prosecutor's office and the community for keeping the memories of the victims alive.

Niotis said her daughter had aspirations of becoming a professional makeup artist. Friends of Salas stated she participated in the school choir, drama club, and an a cappella group. Authorities did not provide dates for upcoming court appearances or specify Battiloro's detention location on October 3.