A teenager accused of killing two 17-year-old girls in an alleged hit-and-run crash in New Jersey last year has been publicly named after prosecutors announced Friday that his case will proceed in adult court.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office said 18-year-old Vincent Battiloro, of Garwood, has been waived up to adult court in connection with the deaths of the two juvenile victims.
Following the transfer from juvenile court, Battiloro is now set to face first-degree murder charges in the Criminal Part of Superior Court in Union County, prosecutors said.
Authorities had previously withheld Battiloro’s name because he was a minor when the alleged offenses occurred. Prosecutors said his identity could be released once the matter was moved to adult court.
Investigators allege Battiloro, who was 17 at the time, struck Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis as they were riding an electric bike in Cranford at approximately 5:26 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2025.
Both girls, each 17 years old, were transported to nearby hospitals, where they were pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Battiloro was arrested after what prosecutors described as an extensive investigation. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with several traffic-related offenses.
Fox News Digital previously reported that 911 audio and police reports obtained through a public records request indicated the suspect was released to his father after the alleged hit-and-run.
The records also show Battiloro’s father contacted law enforcement after the crash.
READ MORE: Spanish biker gang member sets himself alight before leaping into sea
In a previous statement to Fox News Digital, Union County Prosecutors Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said Battiloro was detained for questioning after the incident and later released. He was arrested two days later, on Oct. 1.
One caller told 911 dispatchers that a 2021 black Jeep Compass — which police said Battiloro was driving — “flew down the road and hit people,” adding that one of the victims was unresponsive.
The same caller also reported that there was “someone underneath a car.”
“This is really bad,” the caller said.
“Nobody’s conscious,” another 911 caller said. “Everyone’s stunned, not moving.”
“There’s a girl on the road, and there’s a car! Oh my God, please hurry!” another caller said.
Maria Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis, previously told Fox News that she believes the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.
She also alleged local police failed to act after the family reported that Battiloro had been stalking her daughter before the crash.
“They should have done a lot. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said. “They didn’t do anything to help my baby.”
“I want justice for Maria and Isabella,” she added. “That’s what I want.”
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes and Fox News’ Eric Shawn contributed to this report.
