NJ Teen Double Murder Case Heads To Court

CRANFORD, NJ — The teenager accused of hitting and killing two Cranford High School students with a car while they were riding an electric bicycle is set for a key court appearance as the case moves forward in New Jersey’s adult criminal justice system.

The case stems from a Sept. 29, 2025 crash on Burnside Avenue that killed 17-year-olds Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas.

Authorities said the girls were riding together on an e-bike when they were hit by a vehicle driven by Battiloro.

Both were taken to area hospitals, where they later died.

A judge has since waived the case out of juvenile court, moving it into Superior Court in Union County and placing it under the adult criminal justice system.

Vincent Battiloro, now 18, of Garwood, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

At Wednesday’s detention hearing, the court will decide whether Battiloro remains in custody while the case moves forward or is released under conditions. New Jersey does not use cash bail. Instead, judges hold detention hearings to determine whether a defendant should be held or released while awaiting trial.

In a joint statement, the families of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas reacted to the decision moving the case into adult court.

“The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive.”

Battiloro was 17 at the time of the crash. The case drew widespread attention across Cranford last fall, with community members gathering in remembrance, schools offering counseling services, and residents following developments as the investigation continued.

Attorney Brent Bramnick, who represents the Niotis family, said the move into adult court changes how the case will proceed.

“In juvenile court, everything is handled in the family division, and the range of outcomes is more limited,” Bramnick said. “Once a case is waived up, it goes into Superior Court, where it follows the full criminal process, including grand jury review and potential indictment.”

He said the detention hearing is one of the first formal steps in that process.

“That hearing is where the court decides whether a defendant is detained or released while the case is pending trial,” Bramnick said.

Bramnick also said he is simultaneously pursuing a separate civil case on behalf of the Niotis family, as they continue to seek answers and accountability through both the criminal and civil court systems.