New Jersey Teen Indicted on Murder Charges in E-Bike Deaths; Dashcam Footage Key

A Union County grand jury has indicted Vincent Battiloro, 18, on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two teenage girls who were riding an electric bicycle. The incident occurred on September 29, 2025, when Battiloro allegedly struck Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, with his vehicle.

Brent Bramnick, an attorney representing the family of Maria Niotis, stated that dashcam footage from Battiloro's vehicle may be crucial in proving his intent. According to investigators, the recording shows Battiloro turning his vehicle around to follow the girls before the fatal collision.

"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 told Fox News Digital. "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."

Authorities reported that Battiloro was traveling at approximately 70 mph on a residential street in Cranford, where the speed limit is 25 mph, when he hit the girls. The indictment on murder charges suggests prosecutors aim to prove Battiloro purposely caused their deaths, a higher burden of proof than traffic citations for speeding, reckless driving, improper passing, and unsafe lane changes that were initially issued by Cranford police.

Battiloro is also accused of stalking Niotis for months prior to the incident. Her mother, Foulla Niotis, stated that she had reported the alleged stalking to the police, but no action was taken, with authorities reportedly citing Battiloro's juvenile status at the time. Additionally, Battiloro is accused of making swatting calls to the Niotis residence on at least two occasions in September 2025.

Following the crash, Battiloro reportedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. He was initially cited for leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, failure to report an accident, and having improper license plates, registration, and insurance, as well as no proof of a driver's license. He was later arrested and charged as an adult in June after the dashcam footage was reviewed.

Battiloro remains in custody under an agreement that allows for the possibility of challenging his detention status later. His arraignment is scheduled for October 27 at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Bramnick expressed confidence that the evidence will lead to a murder conviction and stated that the Niotis family is seeking justice.