In the quiet town of Cranford, New Jersey, a devastating tragedy has left an entire community grappling with shock, grief, and unanswered questions. On September 29, 2025, two best friends—Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17-year-old seniors at Cranford High School—were fatally struck by a Jeep Compass while riding an e-bike along a residential street. The incident, which occurred around 5:30 p.m., has since led to the arrest and charging of 17-year-old Vincent Battiloro from neighboring Garwood with two counts of first-degree murder, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office and court records reviewed by multiple news outlets, including ABC News and MyCentralJersey.
What began as an ordinary evening ride turned into a horrific event that would reverberate far beyond the boundaries of Cranford. According to public court records and citations reported by MyCentralJersey and NJ.com, Battiloro was driving at least 70 mph in a 25 mph zone on Burnside Avenue when his vehicle struck the two girls. The black SUV did not stop after the collision; instead, Battiloro left the scene and abandoned the Jeep, only to be apprehended later after what authorities described as a “comprehensive and extensive investigation.”
The aftermath has been marked by an outpouring of grief and remembrance. On October 2, 2025, mourners gathered at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union for Maria Niotis’ wake. Her mother, Fiolla Niotis, spoke publicly for the first time, her voice heavy with sorrow but also filled with pride for her daughter’s spirit. “She was my best friend, my sunshine, the kind of girl who could walk into a room and light it up, just by being herself,” Fiolla said, as reported by ABC News. She described Maria’s passion for music, makeup, hair, and fashion, and her dream of becoming a makeup artist. “When she talked about her dream of becoming a makeup artist, it wasn’t just about glam. It was about helping people see the beauty in themselves that maybe they had forgotten,” her mother recalled. “She would practice for hours watching tutorials, doing her friends’ makeup for fun, and always leaving behind glitter, eyeshadow palettes and a whole lot of love.”
The pain of loss was palpable. “It’s a silence that echoes louder than anything I’ve ever heard. It’s waking up every morning wishing it was a nightmare, hoping to hear that sweet, ‘I love you, Mom, Dad,’” Fiolla continued. Yet, she chose to focus on Maria’s light, saying, “She loved deeply, she gave generously, she dreamed boldly. To Maria, my sweet girl, I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life. I will picture your smile, hear your laugh in my heart and carry your dreams in my hands. You wanted to make the world more beautiful and my daughter, you did, just by being in it.”
Isabella Salas was remembered in her obituary and by friends as a kind and generous teen who loved animals, was passionate about theater, and possessed the “voice of an angel.” Her funeral services were scheduled for October 4 and 6 at Dooley Funeral Home in Cranford and Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, respectively.
As the community mourned, disturbing allegations came to light. The families of the victims, in statements to Fox 5 New York and other outlets, accused Battiloro of stalking Maria Niotis for months and planning the attack. They called him a “coward” who plotted the violence, though law enforcement has not yet confirmed whether the incident was a targeted attack. Neighbors echoed these concerns, claiming that Battiloro had been seen sitting in a car outside Maria’s house for extended periods. Some even criticized local police for not doing enough to protect her, adding a layer of frustration and anger to the already raw grief.
Battiloro’s identity, though initially withheld due to juvenile court proceedings, became widely known through court records and media reports. He is the son of a retired police officer and the nephew of Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, who lives in the neighborhood where the tragedy occurred. Chief Battiloro, in a public statement, expressed his own devastation: “I am shocked, stunned, and so overwhelmingly distressed beyond belief by the horrific loss of two young ladies—who included my neighbor, Salas—and I condemn the alleged actions,” he said. “While social media has made it known that the accused is related to me, he is not my son and not a member of my immediate family. 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.”
The legal case against Battiloro is both complex and closely watched. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and remains in custody as of October 3, 2025. Because he has been charged as a juvenile, authorities have been limited in what they can disclose, but the Union County Prosecutor’s Office has stated they are “exploring all legal options for prosecution.” Given the severity of the crime, there is the possibility that Battiloro could be tried as an adult—a decision that will be scrutinized by both the legal community and the public.
The list of traffic violations Battiloro faces is staggering. In addition to speeding at nearly three times the posted limit, he was cited for failure to possess insurance, registration, or a driver’s license; leaving the scene of an accident involving injury; failure to report an accident; unsafe lane change; improper passing; careless and reckless driving; abandoning a motor vehicle; delaying traffic; obstructing passage of other vehicles; improper display of license plates; and more. In total, he received at least 15 traffic summonses, as reported by MyCentralJersey and the New York Post.
The case has also sparked broader conversations about public safety, juvenile justice, and the responsibilities of law enforcement. Many in the Cranford community have called for a thorough review of how stalking allegations are handled, especially when minors are involved. The fact that the suspect was related to local law enforcement officials has only heightened scrutiny and fueled speculation about whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy.
In the midst of the legal and public debate, the focus remains on the lives lost and the families forever changed. Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas were remembered not just for the circumstances of their deaths, but for the joy and promise they brought to those around them. As Maria’s mother put it, “Today, I choose not to speak only of grief. I choose to speak of Maria’s light. Her life may have been short, but it was powerful. She loved deeply. She gave generously. She dreamed boldly.”
As Cranford gathers to mourn, remember, and seek justice, the echoes of this tragedy linger—a heartbreaking reminder of lives cut short, dreams unfulfilled, and a community’s resolve to ensure such a loss is never repeated.
