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A teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged hit-and-run crash in New Jersey last year has been publicly identified after prosecutors announced Friday that he will be tried as an adult.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced that 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro of Garwood has been withdrawn from adult court and will be tried as an adult in connection with the murder of two female children.
Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, is set to face murder charges in Union County Superior Court after his case was dismissed from juvenile court, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Battiloro’s identity was previously withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. Prosecutors said his identity could be released following a referral to elder court.
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Vincent Battiloro, 18, was publicly identified after prosecutors announced he will be tried as an adult in connection with the deaths of two New Jersey children. (VinnieBat118/YouTube)
Prosecutors allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, hit Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis while they were riding an electric bike in Cranford at about 5:26 p.m. on September 29, 2025.
Two 17-year-old girls 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 murder and several traffic offenses, according to prosecutors.
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Two teenagers, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were killed in a car crash in New Jersey. Police suspect a 17-year-old boy. (FOX 5/Unknown)
Fox News Digital previously reported on audio of 911 calls and police reports obtained through a public records request showing the suspect was released to his father after the alleged assault.
Records also show that Battiloro’s father contacted law enforcement after the crash.
In an earlier statement to Fox News Digital, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said Battiloro was taken into custody for questioning after the incident and released. He was arrested two days later, on October 1.
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Foulla Niotis speaks in an exclusive interview urging prosecutors to try the young suspect as an adult after her daughter Maria and her friend Isabella Salas were killed by a hunter in New Jersey. (Fox Stories)
Another caller told 911 dispatchers that a black 2021 Jeep Compass — which police said Battiloro was driving — “flew down the road and hit people,” adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.
The caller also reported that there was “someone under the car.”
“This is really bad,” said the caller.
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Police gathered at the scene where two young men died. (Fox Stories)
“No one knows,” said one 911 caller. “Everyone is stunned, they don’t move.”
“Here’s a girl on the road, and 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 thinks he was “untouchable” because he has relatives who work in law enforcement.
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A memorial service was held for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. (Fox Stories)
He also said that the local police failed to do anything after the family reported that Battiloro was stalking his daughter before the accident.
“They should have done more. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said. “They didn’t do anything, my child.”
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“I want justice for Maria and Isabella,” he added. “That’s what I want.”
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes and Fox News’ Eric Shawn contributed to this report.
