© Shelley Mays / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC
(Cranford, NJ) – A 17-year old from Garwood, New Jersey is facing charges for allegedly running down two teenaged girls riding an e-bike, killing both of them, then fleeing in his black Jeep. Neighbors say Vince Battiloro was stalking one of the two girls, identified as Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas of Cranford. The incident happened on September 29th. The two girls were airlifted to the hospital where they died.
New York City Councilman Robert Holden was a guest on “Cats and Cosby” and talked about his proposal to register e-bikes and scooters.
Just one day before being arrested, Battiloro posted a video ranting about the crash on YouTube. In it, he shockingly expresses his “sincerest condolences” then whines that locals were making threats against his family while arguing he’s been bullied over past “false allegations”. He ended the live stream by saying, “There’s more to the story, but again, I’m not gonna be authorized to comment on it.”
Meanwhile the Police Chief of Westfield, New Jersey shared on social media that he is related to the suspect. He did not specify the nature of the relation, but said the teen is not his son, nor a member of his immediate family. Chief Christopher Battiloro said he does not condone, defend or excuse the boy’s actions.
A funeral took place Friday October 3rd for 17-year-old Maria Niotis at a Greek Orthodox church in Union, followed by a burial in Westfield. A wake for her friend 17-year-old Isabella Rose Salas is October 4th in Cranford ahead of her burial on Monday in Westfield.
The 17-year-old suspect from nearby Garwood allegedly ran down the girls while driving 70 miles per hour in a Jeep Monday evening on a residential street in Cranford as they rode together on an e-bike. Family members have said he had been stalking one of the girls for months, and has now been charged with first degree murder.
Since the fatal crash Union County announced on October 2nd a ban on e-bikes and motorized scooters at all county parks. Besides the deaths of Salas and Niotis, the executive order came days after a 13-year-old boy in Scotch Plains was killed in a collision involving an electronic bike, a tragedy that has intensified calls for stronger safety protections across the area. The immediate ban prohibits the use of low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and motorized scooters on any footbridge, bridle path, bicycle path, lawn, wooded area, park, playground, or other county-controlled property.
