NY teen girls killed in quiet suburban area by stalker who ran then down in a jeep

Question

Two teenage girls were mowed down and killed Monday in leafy Cranford, New Jersey, by a hit-and-run driver who had allegedly been stalking one of them.

The two 17-year-old Cranford High School students, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were riding on an ebike together around 5:30 p.m. when a black 2021 Jeep with tinted windows rammed into them, according to authorities and local reports.

Both girls later died at the hospital.

Answer 1

It appears the story is still developing, but most details in the claim are accurate.

The suspect’s name has not been officially released. However, CNN reported that, according to New Jersey court records, 15 traffic tickets were issued on the afternoon of September 29 to 17-year-old Vincent Battiloro. The citations include driving 45–49 miles per hour over the speed limit, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, and failing to report an accident. The date, location, and vehicle described in the records match the details of the hit-and-run alleged by the prosecutor’s office.

Relatives and friends of the victims claim Battiloro had been stalking one of the girls and that a restraining order had been filed against him prior to the crash. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which is leading the investigation, did not immediately respond to CBS News New York’s request to verify those claims. According to the New York Times, the victims’ family said Battiloro had been “pranking” them, including placing a Domino’s order during one of his video game live streams.

NBC affiliate WBAL-TV 11 reported that the suspect was detained and questioned on Monday, according to the prosecutor’s office. He was later released and then arrested on Wednesday morning [Oct 1,2025], the office said in a statement to CNN.

Comments

I like the second paragraph where you described in detail what the developing story is, cited reliable news sources and even added dates as this is still an updating story and not many people may know when or where this happened.

Answer 2

Overall, this claim is true. The story has developed more over time since this statement was published.

According to NBCNEWYORK victims were identify as Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas. The suspect Vincent Battiloro was charged Wednesday with first- degree murder for the death of both 17-year-old girls were killed in Cranford on Monday September 29 while riding their bicycles. Witnesses reported as intentional. Battiloro was earlier cited with 15 violations, one being speeding up to 70 mph in a 25-mph zone. The investigation is still on going and according to The Union County officer they are still in search of further evidence to this horrific loss. 

"She made complaints, and nothing was done" (Tammy Carbaja).  AOL news illustrated Battilio had been stalking them before this tragedy. A neighbor told Fox 5 that before the murder happened they have been stalked three months prior, and nothing was done. Many state "this town failed them" stating that nothing is done until it is too late.
 

Comments

I like how you used multiple different news sources, including NBC, AOL, and Fox 5, linking each source to show exactly where you got your information as well as cross examining all three sources. I was wondering if you could possibly link me to the police report of Vincent Battiloro as well if you have it, just to wonder if he has had previous offenses or misdemeanors.