An 18-year-old charged in a hit and run crash that killed two teenage girls in New Jersey will be tried as an adult, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced in a statement.
Vincent Battiloro is facing two counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors say he ran down two 17-year-old girls, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, who were on an e-bike in Cranford last September.
One day later, investigators say Battiloro alluded to the crash on a YouTube livestream, but did not admit responsibility.
“”The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice,” a joint statment from the families of both victims read. “We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive.”
NBC New York
NBC New York Accused hit-and-run driver Vincent Battiloro appears in a YouTube livestream one day after the crash that killed two 17-year-old girls. Battiloro, who was 17 at the time of the deaths, is now 18 and will be tried as an adult.
“Having been waived up to the adult court system, his case will now proceed through the Criminal Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage,” the prosecutor’s office said Friday.
Law enforcement sources previously said the incident may have stemmed from a possible break-up or argument.
In 2025, Westfield, NJ Police Chief Christopher Battiloro confirmed he is related to the suspect, but has said he is not his son nor a “member of his immediate family.”
“I want to be clear, as loud and as firm as possible, that in NO WAY do my wife, children or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that caused this terrible and tragic loss of life,” Chief Battiloro said in a statement.
The Cranford Police Department said it’s pleased with the judge’s decision. “We will continue working closely with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as this case moves forward through the adult criminal justice system,” said Chief of Police Matthew R. Nazzaro.
Maria Niotis (left) and Isabella Salas (right) died after an SUV struck the two as they rode an e-bike.
“I need to explain some things that happened over the past few days,” Battiloro said in the YouTube stream the day after the deaths. “There’s been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet but I will say this: I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident,” he recorded himself saying on camera. “It is an absolute unfortunate situation and there’s more to the story that you’re not getting. But when the time comes, I will explain it in greater detail.”
During the 20-minute video, he made no reference to his alleged involvement in the crash, but at one point did play an online video game with another person.
