Accused Killer Of 2 Teens Identified Through NJ Court Records, Citations

UPDATE: Accused Killer Livestreams Hours After 2 NJ Teen Girls' Deaths

CRANFORD, NJ — Vincent P. Battiloro has been identified as the 17-year-old charged with the murder of two 17-year-old girls riding electronic bikes in Cranford on Monday, according to New Jersey court records.

Battiloro, of Garwood, received 15 tickets relating to the crash involving the 2021 black Jeep that match the date, time, and location of the crash along Burnside Avenue that left former Cranford High School students Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas dead.

He also faces two charges of first-degree murder, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. It is unclear whether he will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

Citations filed against Battiloro include:

• Leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury
• Failure to report an accident
• Failure to possess a driver's insurance card
• Failure to possess a driver's license
• Failure to possess driver's registration
• Speeding
• Failure to show license and registration in an accident resulting in injury, death, or damage
• Unsafe lane change on road with marked lanes
• Improper passing
• Careless driving: likely to endanger a person or property
• Reckless driving
• Abandoning a motor vehicle
• Delaying traffic
• Obstructing the passage of other vehicles
• Improper display/unclear plates

He is scheduled to appear in municipal court on Oct. 29.

According to online obituary records, Battiloro is also the nephew of Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

On Wednesday, Chief Battiloro released a statement condemning the acts and responding to online rumors of his family's involvement.

"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," said Battiloro in his statement.

The families of both girls called Vincent Battiloro "a coward of a man," and confirmed rumors that he stalked at least one of them for months in a statement given to Fox 5.

"It is now vital that the truth be shared: this was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run," the families said. "This was murder in the first degree."

The story is developing. Patch is working to gain further details and reactions from those involved.

Fatal Crash

At around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Cranford Police arrived at Burnside Avenue after two teenage bike riders were hit by a vehicle, according to authorities.

The two girls were airlifted to the hospital, where they later died, authorities said.
Authorities have not confirmed any motives behind the crash.

A local business with ties to the family has confirmed to Patch that a GoFundMe fundraising website has been launched to directly benefit the loved ones of the girls has been organized. Funds will be shared evenly to help with funeral costs.

Anyone with any information regarding the case is asked to reach out to Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at 908-370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Jason D’Agostino at 908-276-0171.

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