As the families mourn and a memorial grows for two New Jersey teenagers struck and killed by an SUV while riding their bikes, new information sheds light on the 17-year-old driver who was allegedly behind the wheel and mowed the pair of best friends intentionally.
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Driver who allegedly mowed down 2 teens in NJ town identified, as families mourn victims
Just one day after the deaths of the two girls, the suspect referred to the crash in a YouTube livestream he was recording. During the 20-minute video, he made no reference to his alleged involvement in the crash.
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As the families mourn and a memorial grows for
two New Jersey teenagers struck and killed by an SUV while riding their bikes, new information sheds light on the 17-year-old driver who was allegedly behind the wheel and intentionally mowed down the pair of best friends.
The suspect, Vincent Battiloro, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the deaths of the 17-year-old girls, who were killed in Cranford on Monday as they rode on their bicycles. An SUV driver hit them -- witnesses reported it appeared intentional -- and sped off. Battiloro, of Garwood, was later arrested.
Battiloro was cited for 15 violations tied to the crash on Monday, including speeding (he was said to be going 70 mph in a 25 mph zone), reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to report an accident and not possessing a driver's license.
Family and friends have identified the two teenage girls killed as Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis. The heartbroken mother of Niotis spoke after the teen's wake ended at St. Demetrios Church on Thursday.
"There are no words that can truly describe the pain of losing your child," Fouli Niotis said. "It’s a silence that echoes louder than anything I’ve ever heard. It’s waking up every morning wishing it was a nightmare."
Notably, the mother did not name the suspect, instead choosing to focus on her daughter's love of all things beauty, and dreams of one day owning a business.
"She was going to graduate high school this year. She had plans. Big ones," the grieving mother said. "Her life may have been short, but it was powerful. She loved deeply, she gave generously, and she dreamed boldly."
The families of the two victims put out a joint statement, calling the suspect a "coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, carried out this horrific act." Sources said the three apparently knew each other.
Just one day after the deaths of Salas and Niotis, Battiloro referred to the crash in a YouTube livestream.
"I need to explain some things that happened over the past few days...There’s been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet but I will say this: I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident," he recorded himself saying on camera. "It is an absolute unfortunate situation and there's more to the story that you’re not getting. But when the time comes, I will explain it in greater detail."
During the 20-minute video, he made no reference to his alleged involvement in the crash, but at one point did play an online video game with another person.
"I’m a nice kid, I’m 17 years old with a good family by my side and these allegations that have been ruining everything it’s a shame," Battiloro said in the livestream.
Prosecutors did not share where the teenage suspect was being held or when he was expected to make his first court appearance. Law enforcement sources previously said the incident may have stemmed from a possible break-up or argument.
Attempts to contact the suspect at his home were unsuccessful, as a man said they were not interested in talking.
On Wednesday, well after news of the charges, the police chief of neighboring Westfield shared on social media that he was related to the suspect. He didn't specify the nature of the relation, but said Battiloro is not his son nor a "member of his immediate family," and condemned the behavior outlined in the charges.
"I want to be clear, as loud and as firm as possible, that in NO WAY do my wife, children or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that caused this terrible and tragic loss of life," Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said in a statement.
The police chief, who said he responded to the crash to provide Cranford police assistance, noted he couldn't comment on speculation about his connection to the suspect earlier because it could have impeded the investigation. He also said he lives in the same neighborhood Isabella Salas.
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Neighbors who saw the aftermath called the entire ordeal repulsive.
"Horrible. Horrible. Nothing in the world is more horrible than what I saw yesterday," said Barbara Bryson. "It’s just devastating. It’s devastating for the community, everybody’s affected by this."
"Hearing that someone was hit by a car, it was absolutely devastating. But then as the whole story unwinded, it was so sickening. Like how could you leave?” asked Amanda Poda, of Cranford.
Isabella's uncle called the girls' deaths horrific
"Seventeen years old, great girl," he said, in Spanish, of his niece. "She was riding her bike with her best friend. They were riding along and then this guy comes and kills them."
The funeral for Niotis is scheduled for Friday. A wake for Isabella Salas is planned for Saturday.
An investigation is ongoing. The Union County Prosecutor's Office said they were looking for witnesses or anyone with video footage of the SUV involved from before, during or after the deadly incident.
Those with information are asked to call the Union County prosecutor's office at 908-370-4318.