Garwood Teen Vincent Battiloro to Be Tried as Adult in Cranford Fatal Hit-and-Run Case

Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood will be tried as an adult in connection with the deaths of two juvenile girls struck by a vehicle while riding an electric bicycle in Cranford on September 29, 2025. Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Cranford Police Chief Matthew Nazzaro announced the waiver to adult court on July 2, 2026.

Battiloro, whose identity had previously been withheld because he was a juvenile at the time of the incident, has been waived to adult court and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The charges stem from a crash that occurred at approximately 5:26 p.m. on Burnside Avenue on September 29, 2025. Cranford police responded to reports that two juvenile girls had been struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric bicycle. Officers found the victims, later identified as Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, seriously injured at the scene. Both were transported to local hospitals, where they were later pronounced dead.

Union County Life is reporting on this criminal justice development. Niotis and Salas were members of the Cranford High School Class of 2026. The announcement of the waiver decision comes during what would have been their graduation week.

Following what authorities described as a comprehensive and extensive investigation, Battiloro was taken into custody by members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office and the Cranford Police Department. With the waiver to adult court approved, the case will now proceed through the Criminal Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage.

Battiloro is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. These are accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Authorities continue to seek additional information related to the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at 908-370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Lt. Spencer Durkin at 908-709-7346.

For more information about Union County criminal justice matters, stay informed on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: Who was arrested in connection with the Cranford hit-and-run deaths?
A: Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood was taken into custody in connection with the deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. He was waived to adult court on July 2, 2026.

Q: What happened on September 29, 2025?
A: Two juvenile girls, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric bicycle on Burnside Avenue in Cranford at approximately 5:26 p.m. Both were transported to local hospitals and later pronounced dead.

Q: What charges is Battiloro facing?
A: Battiloro is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. These are accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Q: Why was Battiloro's identity withheld initially?
A: Battiloro's identity was withheld because he was a juvenile at the time of the incident. After the waiver to adult court was approved, his identity and charges were publicly released.

Q: Who were the victims?
A: The victims were Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both juvenile girls who were members of the Cranford High School Class of 2026.

Q: Where will the trial take place?
A: With the waiver to adult court approved, the case will proceed through the Criminal Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage.

Q: How can I provide information about this case?
A: Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at 908-370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Lt. Spencer Durkin at 908-709-7346.