An 18-year-old charged in a success and run crash that killed two teenage ladies in New Jersey will likely be tried as an grownup, the Union County Prosecutor’s Workplace introduced in a press release.
Vincent Battiloro is dealing with two counts of first-degree homicide. Prosecutors say he ran down two 17-year-old ladies, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, who have been on an e-bike in Cranford final September.
In the future later, investigators say Battiloro alluded to the crash on a YouTube livestream, however didn’t admit accountability.
“The choice to attempt the defendant as an grownup is a welcomed sliver of justice,” a joint statment from the households of each victims learn. “We’re grateful to the Prosecutor’s Workplace for his or her efforts in addition to the neighborhood at giant for persevering with to maintain Maria and Isabella’s recollections alive.”
NBC New York
NBC New York Accused hit-and-run driver Vincent Battiloro seems in a YouTube livestream at some point after the crash that killed two 17-year-old ladies. Battiloro, who was 17 on the time of the deaths, is now 18 and will likely be tried as an grownup.
“Having been waived as much as the grownup court docket system, his case will now proceed via the Felony A part of the Superior Court docket of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage,” the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned Friday.
Legislation enforcement sources beforehand mentioned the incident might have stemmed from a doable break-up or argument.
In 2025, Westfield, NJ Police Chief Christopher Battiloro confirmed he’s associated to the suspect, however has mentioned he isn’t his son nor a “member of his instant household.”
“I wish to be clear, as loud and as agency as doable, that in NO WAY do my spouse, kids or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that brought on this horrible and tragic lack of life,” Chief Battiloro mentioned in a press release.
The Cranford Police Division mentioned it is happy with the decide’s resolution. “We are going to proceed working intently with the Union County Prosecutor’s Workplace as this case strikes ahead via the grownup legal justice system,” mentioned Chief of Police Matthew R. Nazzaro.
Maria Niotis (left) and Isabella Salas (proper) died after an SUV struck the 2 as they rode an e-bike.
“I would like to elucidate some issues that occurred over the previous few days,” Battiloro mentioned within the YouTube stream the day after the deaths. “There’s been loads of misinformation occurring over the web however I’ll say this: I want my sincerest condolences to these two ladies misplaced in that tragic accident,” he recorded himself saying on digicam. “It’s an absolute unlucky scenario and there is extra to the story that you just’re not getting. However when the time comes, I’ll clarify it in higher element.”
Through the 20-minute video, he made no reference to his alleged involvement within the crash, however at one level did play a web-based online game with one other individual.
