EXCLUSIVE: New Jersey authorities have unveiled 911 call recordings linked to a tragic alleged hit-and-run incident that claimed the lives of two teenage girls.
Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis lost their lives on September 29 while riding an electric bike. A 17-year-old male is accused of striking them with his vehicle around 5:26 p.m. in Cranford, New Jersey, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. Both girls, aged 17, were declared dead shortly thereafter. The suspect’s identity remains confidential as he has not been tried as an adult.
Investigators report the suspect was behind the wheel of a 2021 black Jeep Compass during the incident. He faces charges including two counts of first-degree murder, alongside several traffic-related offenses.
Fox News Digital accessed the 911 audio and police documentation through a FOIA request, revealing that the suspect was released to his father following the alleged crimes. Additionally, records indicate that the father reached out to law enforcement after the hit-and-run took place.
Following the fatal incident, authorities have accused a 17-year-old boy of being responsible for the deaths of the two teens.
One 911 caller described the suspect’s black SUV as having “flew down the road and hit people,” noting that one victim was found unresponsive.
The same person said there was “someone underneath a car,” adding, “This is really bad.”
“Nobody’s conscious,” said another caller. “Everyone’s stunned, not moving.”
“There’s a girl on the road, and there’s a car! Oh my god, please hurry!” another person said.
A separate caller, asked about the victim who was under the car, said it was “not looking good.”
A memorial for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. (FOX 5)
One of the callers told the 911 operator the suspect “took off” after the incident, headed toward the downtown area.
“It was flying, it was black. That’s all I know,” the caller could be heard saying.
“The car looks like it’s about to catch fire,” another 911 caller said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Union County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Lauren Farinas said the suspect was detained after the incident for questioning and released.
“Shortly after the incident on Monday, Sept. 29, the suspect was detained and questioned by law enforcement officers. The suspect was subsequently released pending further investigation. Officers then arrested the suspect on Wednesday morning, Oct. 1, after complaints were approved for two counts of first-degree murder,” Farinas wrote.
The 17-year-old is currently in custody, she said.
Niotis’ mother, Foulla Niotis, told Fox News in a previous interview that the suspect “planned” the attack and thought he was “untouchable” because he had relatives working in law enforcement.
She said local police didn’t take action when the family reported the suspect to law enforcement after he was allegedly stalking her daughter.
Foulla Niotis becomes emotional while speaking about her daughter’s death. (Fox News)
“They should have done a lot. They didn’t do anything,” Niotis said of local law enforcement. “They didn’t do anything to help my baby.
“I want justice for Maria and Isabella. That’s what I want.”
