A Union County grand jury indicted Vincent Battiloro, 18, on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17. The girls were riding an electric bicycle together when they were struck in Cranford, New Jersey, on Sept. 29, 2025.
Investigators say Battiloro was driving a 2021 Black Jeep Compass and that its dashcam recorded events related to the collision. Brent Bramnick, an attorney for Niotis’ family, told Fox News Digital that the recording could help prosecutors show what Battiloro intended. Bramnick said establishing intent would require investigators to assemble and present the evidence in detail. The indictment is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.
According to court records cited in the report, Battiloro was allegedly traveling as fast as 70 mph on Burnside Avenue, where the speed limit was 25 mph, before striking the girls from behind. Cranford police issued citations for alleged speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and an unsafe lane change. Bramnick said that while those alleged driving violations are relevant, prosecutors will need to prove the deaths were purposeful to secure murder convictions.
Bramnick said the family believes the evidence supports the murder allegations. His statements represent the position of the victim’s family and its attorney; the source material does not provide a response from prosecutors detailing their evidence or arguments.
Authorities also accused Battiloro of leaving the scene on foot after abandoning the vehicle. Police cited him for leaving an accident involving personal injury and failing to report an accident. Other cited vehicle-related issues included allegedly unclear or improper license plates and a lack of proof of registration, insurance or a driver’s license.
The account says police questioned Battiloro on the day of the crash. He reportedly told them that someone had carjacked him at knifepoint, and police released him to his father. In June, after reviewing dashcam footage, authorities arrested him and charged him as an adult. The source does not specify the year for that June arrest.
The report also recounts allegations made by Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis. She said Battiloro had stalked her daughter for months before the collision and that she had contacted police. She told Fox News Digital she was not advised about options such as seeking a restraining order. These claims have not been established in court in the material provided.
Bramnick further alleged that Battiloro was accused of swatting the Niotis family’s home on at least two occasions in September 2025. The source does not provide additional details about those allegations or an official response to them.
The report says Battiloro appeared in a YouTube gaming livestream the day after the crash and complained about what he called false allegations. His defense attorney, Brian Biglin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Bramnick, Battiloro remained in custody after the defense agreed to detention without prejudice, which leaves open a later challenge to that status.
Battiloro’s arraignment was scheduled for Oct. 27 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Bramnick said the proceedings would give the public and the family an opportunity to see the evidence presented. The case remains pending, and the allegations have not been proven at trial.
