Accused Teen Driver’s Dashcam May Prove Murder of Two Girls

An accused New Jersey killer’s own dashcam footage could help prosecutors argue that he intentionally killed two teenagers riding an e-bike, an attorney for one victim’s family said. Investigators reportedly believe the recording shows the driver turning around and following the girls before the fatal crash.

A Union County grand jury indicted Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, on Wednesday on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of the two teens.

Brent Bramnick, who represents the family of victim Maria Niotis, said dashcam video from the 2021 Black Jeep Compass driven by Battiloro could help establish his intent. Prosecutors allege Battiloro struck and killed Maria and Isabella Salas, both 17, on Sept. 29, 2025.

Court records state that Battiloro was driving as fast as 70 mph on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, where the speed limit is 25 mph, when he allegedly struck the girls from behind. The best friends were riding together on an electric bicycle.

Cranford police issued citations alleging speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and an unsafe lane change, among other offenses. Bramnick said those violations demonstrate dangerous driving, but prosecutors must prove Battiloro intentionally caused the deaths to secure murder convictions.

“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 News Outlet.

“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.”

Bramnick said he remains confident that the evidence will support murder charges.

“We certainly believe based upon all the evidence presented so far that the intention was to commit those murders,” he said.

Authorities said Battiloro abandoned the SUV after the crash and fled on foot. Police cited him for leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury and failing to report an accident.

He is also accused of using improper or unclear license plates and driving without proof of registration, insurance or a valid license.

The day after the crash, Battiloro appeared on a YouTube gaming livestream and complained that people were mocking him over what he described as “false allegations.”

Stalking and swatting accusations

Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mother, said Battiloro had stalked her daughter for months before the collision. Battiloro had previously attended Lincoln School in Cranford with Maria. Niotis said she reported the alleged stalking to police, but no action followed.

“Nobody said to me if there was anything I could do, restraining orders or anything against him,” Niotis previously told News Outlet. “They just kept saying, ‘Oh, he’s a juvenile.’”

According to Bramnick, Battiloro is also accused of swatting the Niotis home at least twice in September 2025.

Adult charges

Cranford police questioned Battiloro on Sept. 29, 2025, but released him to his father after he claimed that someone had carjacked him at knifepoint.

In June, after reviewing the dashcam footage, police arrested Battiloro and charged him as an adult.

Bramnick said Battiloro remains in custody after his defense agreed to detention without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of challenging the status later.

Battiloro’s defense attorney, Brian Biglin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Battiloro’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 27, at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

“There’ll be an opportunity to have this play out, where people can see what’s going on, and that is hugely important for the public,” Bramnick added.

“Certainly, enormously important for the family, and I think, the Niotis family certainly is happy we’re here, and, you know, want justice.”