Family Of Slain Cranford Teen Speaks For First Time Following Crash

CRANFORD, NJ — The family of a 17-year-old girl who died after being hit by a driver last year spoke publicly for the first time on Sunday.

Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas were killed in a hit-and-run crash on Sept. 29, 2025 while they were riding electronic bikes along Burnside Avenue, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said.

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17 of Garwood, was identified as the suspect through court records along with reports he had been stalking at least one of the girls for months leading up to the crash. He is charged with two counts of murder and 15 other citations.

"It's been really hard. It's really bad," Isabella's parents, Mary and Edwin, told News 12 as they were joined by around a dozen other family members.

"When the attention goes toward the criminal case, I hate that," Mary added. "Yes, obviously, we want that dealt with, but no. It's about these girls."

It is still unclear whether Battiloro will be charged as an adult in the case.

"It was extremely difficult for our family to hear the 911 calls regarding the alleged homicide of our daughter," Niotis' mother Foulla told Patch in October 2025 after tapes of residents reporting the slaying were made public.

In the months following the attack, Foulla has also had death threats directed to her workplace, the family's lawyer, Brent Bramnick, said.

Through it all, the families are keeping their spirits high in honor of Maria and Isabella, and making sure that Cranford knows how much the neighborhood has meant to them during this tough time.

"We continue to grieve and greatly appreciate the ongoing support the community has shown for our family," Foulla added.

Along with a decorated gazebo downtown, a number of other tributes and memorials continue to be held in the girls' honor since their death in September.

At the end of 2025, the Cranford and greater Union County community came together to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the families through a music sale put on by a local DJ who partnered with a restaurant in the area.

READ MORE: $23K Raised For Families Of Girls Killed In Cranford

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