A New Jersey teenager accused of intentionally killing two 17-year-old girls by striking them with his vehicle had claimed he was carjacked earlier the same day, but dashcam footage from his own car appears to disprove his account, according to a criminal complaint.
Vincent Battiloro, 18, was charged as an adult on Friday with two counts of first-degree murder. The charges stem from the Sept. 29, 2025, incident in Cranford, New Jersey, where Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas were riding an electric bicycle. Prosecutors allege Battiloro intentionally drove his Jeep Compass into the girls at a high rate of speed.
When questioned by detectives, Battiloro reportedly told them an unknown individual wearing a red mask and armed with a knife had carjacked him prior to the fatal collision. However, dash camera footage obtained by police allegedly shows Battiloro driving his Jeep Compass to the area of Burnside Avenue, parking the vehicle, and shortly thereafter, striking the two victims with it.
The complaint states the dashcam footage shows Battiloro getting into and driving the Jeep to the vicinity of Burnside Avenue, where he parked. Shortly after, the two victims on their e-bike were observed heading in the opposite direction. Detectives allege Battiloro then made a U-turn to follow the girls and accelerated, striking them before his vehicle ultimately stopped. The footage reportedly shows Battiloro fleeing the scene on foot afterward.
Battiloro's identity was initially withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged crimes. His case was transferred to adult court on Friday.
Brent Bramnick, who is representing the Niotis family, expressed gratitude that the case would proceed in adult court. "The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive," Bramnick said.
According to authorities, the two girls were struck around 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2025, when a black 2021 Jeep with tinted windows rammed into them. The memorial at the site of the crash on Burnside Avenue includes flowers, candles, and photographs.
Bramnick also stated that the suspect allegedly swatted the Niotis family's home in Cranford twice in September 2025, between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15. The Niotis family is seeking answers about any investigations that may have occurred after they reported these incidents. Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mother, previously told Fox News Digital that she believes the suspect “planned” the attack and felt “untouchable” due to alleged connections to law enforcement. She is seeking justice for her daughter and Isabella Salas.