Vincent Battiloro, 18, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two 17-year-old girls who were struck and killed by an SUV while riding an e-bike in Cranford, New Jersey. Battiloro appeared in court for his arraignment following his indictment earlier this month on two murder counts.
The victims, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, died on September 29, 2025, after authorities stated a Jeep Compass traveling at high speed collided with them on a residential street. The SUV was found nearby with significant front-end damage, and an e-bike was lodged in its grille. According to the complaint, Battiloro allegedly fled the scene on foot. When questioned by police, he reportedly claimed he had been carjacked by a masked individual armed with a knife.
Battiloro, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was initially arrested and charged as a juvenile with murder. In June, he was transferred to adult court. He did not speak during Monday's hearing, with one of his attorneys entering the plea on his behalf.
The next court date is scheduled for December 14. Attorneys for Battiloro did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Families of Niotis and Salas attended the hearing, wearing shirts bearing the names and images of the victims.
"Maria and Isabella should be alive today," the families said in a joint statement. "These families, and every parent in this community, deserve to know how this unspeakable catastrophe was allowed to happen."
Following Battiloro's arrest, the families of the victims alleged that the suspect had been plotting an attack against Niotis for months, and that her friend was killed in the "horrific act." Authorities have not commented on a potential motive. The families have called on the New Jersey attorney general to investigate the events leading up to the deaths, including all law enforcement interactions with Battiloro and his family.