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The teenager, previously a minor, accused of the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the lives of two 17-year-old girls in New Jersey last year has been identified as he is set to be tried as an adult, according to an announcement made by prosecutors on Friday.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro, from Garwood, will face adult court proceedings related to the alleged murders of the two young females.
Now 18, Vincent Battiloro of Garwood will confront charges of first-degree murder in the Superior Court’s Criminal Part in Union County after the case was elevated from juvenile court, as explained by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
Previously, Battiloro’s identity was kept private since he was underage during the purported incident. However, prosecutors stated that with the case moving to adult court, his identity can now be disclosed.
Following the announcement by prosecutors that he will face trial as an adult for the deaths of the two New Jersey teenagers, Vincent Battiloro, 18, has been identified publicly. (VinnieBat118/YouTube)
Prosecutors allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, struck Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis while they were riding an electric bike in Cranford at about 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025.
The two girls, who were both 17, were taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead a short time later.
Battiloro was arrested following an extensive investigation and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and multiple traffic offenses, according to prosecutors.
Two teenagers, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were killed in a hit-and-run incident in New Jersey. Police allege a 17-year-old boy is responsible. (FOX 5/Unknown)
News Media previously reported on 911 call audio and police reports obtained through a public records request showing the suspect was released to his father after the alleged hit-and-run.
The records also show Battiloro’s father contacted law enforcement after the crash.
In a previous statement to News Media, Union County Prosecutors Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said Battiloro was detained for questioning after the incident and later released. He was arrested two days later, on Oct. 1.
Foulla Niotis speaks in an exclusive interview urging prosecutors to try the teen suspect as an adult after her daughter Maria and friend Isabella Salas were killed by a stalker in New Jersey. (Fox News)
One caller told 911 dispatchers that a 2021 black Jeep Compass — which police said Battiloro was driving — “flew down the road and hit people,” adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.
The same caller also reported that there was “someone underneath a car.”
“This is really bad,” the caller said.
Police officers gather at the scene where two teenagers were killed. (Fox News)
“Nobody’s conscious,” another 911 caller said. “Everyone’s stunned, not moving.”
“There’s a girl on the road, and there’s a car! Oh my God, please hurry!” another caller said.
Maria Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis, previously told Fox News that she believes the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.
A memorial was set up for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. (Fox News)
She also alleged local police failed to act after the family reported that Battiloro had been stalking her daughter before the crash.
“They should have done a lot. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said. “They didn’t do anything to help my baby.”
“I want justice for Maria and Isabella,” she added. “That’s what I want.”
Source: NewsFinale | Read the Full Story…
