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Teen accused of killing 2 girls in NJ hit-and-run to be tried as adult

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The identity of the teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged hit-and-run crash in New Jersey last year was made public after prosecutors announced Friday that he would be tried as an adult.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced that 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro of Garwood has been released from custody in adult court and will be tried as an adult in the murders of two young women.

Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, will face first-degree murder charges in the Union County Superior Court Criminal Division after his case was waived from juvenile court, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Battiloro’s identity had previously been withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. His identity can now be released following his transfer to adult court, prosecutors said.

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The identity of 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro was made public after prosecutors announced he would be tried as an adult in the deaths of two New Jersey teenagers. (VinnieBat118/YouTube)

Prosecutors allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, hit Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis, who were riding an electric bike, in Cranford around 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025.

The two girls, both 17 years old, were taken to local hospitals and pronounced dead a short time later.

Battiloro was arrested after an extensive investigation and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and multiple traffic offenses, according to prosecutors.

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Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas stand in front of a crime scene

Two teenagers, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were killed in a hit-and-run incident in New Jersey. Police claim that a 17-year-old boy is responsible for the incident. (FOX 5/Unknown)

Fox News Digital previously reported on 911 call audio and police reports obtained through a public records request; these reports indicated that the suspect was handed over to his father following an alleged hit-and-run.

Records also show Battiloro’s father contacted law enforcement after the crash.

Union County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas previously told Fox News Digital that Battiloro was taken into custody for questioning after the incident and was later released. He was arrested two days later, on October 1.

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Foulla Niotis speaks during interview about the death of his daughter Maria

In an exclusive interview, Foulla Niotis urges prosecutors to try the young suspect as an adult after his daughter Maria and her friend Isabella Salas were killed by a pervert in New Jersey. (Fox News)

One caller told 911 dispatchers that the 2021 black Jeep Compass that police said Battiloro was driving was “flying down the road and hitting people,” adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.

The same caller also reported there was “someone under the car.”

“This is really bad,” the caller said.

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Police officers gather at a crime scene outdoors.

Police teams gathered at the scene where two young people were killed. (Fox News)

“No one is conscious,” another 911 caller said. “Everyone is confused, not moving.”

“There’s a girl and a car on the road! Oh my God, please hurry!” another caller said.

Maria Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis, previously told Fox News that she believed the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives who worked in law enforcement.

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