A 17-year-old, suspected in a hit-and-run murder, was briefly detained and questioned by police but was not arrested until later in the week, as stated by officials. This came after the fatalities of two teenage girls.
Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas tragically died on Monday when they were allegedly struck by a 17-year-old male while riding an electric bike. The incident occurred around 5:26 p.m., according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
The two girls, both 17, were pronounced dead after arriving at area hospitals.
The driver, a resident of Garwood, New Jersey, faces two first-degree murder charges. At the time of the incident, the suspect was reportedly driving a 2021 black Jeep Compass.
Police officers gather at the scene where two teenagers were killed. (Fox 5)
“He’s been parked outside her house for three months now. He was never stopped,” a neighbor said, FOX 5 reported.
“She made complaints and nothing was done,” family friend Tammy Carbajal told CBS. “It’s just a tragedy. It’s just a tragedy.”
Though the suspect’s name has not been released, Police Chief Christopher Battiloro of Westfield, New Jersey, acknowledged in a detailed statement that he is related to the suspect accused of the crime.
“It’s widespread knowledge on social media that I am related to the accused, but I must clarify that he is neither my son nor part of my immediate family. Let me be clear, loudly and firmly, that my wife, children, and I do not in any way condone, defend, or excuse the actions leading to this devastating loss of life,” Battiloro expressed. “In this tragic event, I lost a neighbor – a wonderful, lively young girl named Isabella Salas, whom I’ve known since I moved to Cranford.”
