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New Jersey Teen Indicted on Murder Charges in E-Bike Crash That Killed Two Girls
An 18-year-old from Garwood, New Jersey, has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder after prosecutors say he deliberately struck and killed two 17-year-old girls riding an electric bicycle in Cranford. A lawyer for one victim's family says the suspect's own dashcam footage could prove intent.
An 18-year-old New Jersey man has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two teenage girls who were struck and killed while riding an electric bicycle in Cranford, according to court records and a lawyer representing one of the victims' families.
Vincent Battiloro, of Garwood, was charged by a Union County grand jury on Wednesday in the Sept. 29, 2025, deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17. Prosecutors allege that Battiloro was driving a 2021 Black Jeep Compass at speeds of up to 70 mph on a residential street with a 25 mph speed limit when he struck the girls from behind on Burnside Avenue.
Brent Bramnick, an attorney for the Niotis family, said the dashcam recording from Battiloro's vehicle could help prosecutors establish that the collision was intentional. According to investigators, the footage shows Battiloro turning around to follow the girls before the crash.
«So I think even more important than the allegations in the tickets, even though obviously everything's important, is the fact that this was evidently recorded as it's happening,» Bramnick said. «And that requires a lot of work and that requires making sure you have all the evidence to show, piece by piece, what this defendant was thinking, and that it was not an accident.»
While Cranford police issued citations for speeding, reckless driving, improper passing, and an unsafe lane change, Bramnick noted that the murder charges require the prosecution to prove Battiloro purposely caused the deaths. He said he is confident the evidence will support that conclusion.
«We certainly believe based upon all the evidence presented so far that the intention was to commit those murders,» he said.
Authorities said Battiloro abandoned the SUV and fled on foot after the crash. He was cited for leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury and failing to report an accident, as well as for improper or unclear license plates, no proof of registration and insurance, and no proof of a driver's license.
The day after the incident, Battiloro appeared in a gaming livestream on YouTube and complained that people were ridiculing him over what he called «false allegations.»
Foulla Niotis, Maria's mother, said Battiloro had stalked her daughter for months before the collision. She said she had reported the behavior to police, but no action was taken.
«Nobody said to me if there was anything I could do, restraining orders or anything against him,» Niotis said. «They just kept saying, 'Oh, he's a juvenile.'»
Bramnick also said Battiloro is accused of swatting the Niotis residence on at least two occasions in September 2025.
Cranford police questioned Battiloro on the day of the crash but released him to his father after he claimed he had been carjacked at knifepoint. In June, after reviewing the dashcam footage, police arrested him and charged him as an adult.
Bramnick said Battiloro remains in custody after his defense agreed to detention without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of challenging his detention later. Battiloro's defense attorney, Brian Biglin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 27 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.
«There'll be an opportunity to have this play out, where people can see what's going on, and that is hugely important for the public,» Bramnick said. «Certainly, enormously important for the family, and I think the Niotis family certainly is happy we're here, and, you know, want justice.»
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