A young driver facing charges for deliberately hitting two 17-year-old girls in New Jersey broadcasted a disturbing livestream concerning the tragic incident just one day prior to his apprehension, stating, “there’s more to this story.”
The individual featured in the stream, confirmed by several neighbors to be the accused killer Vincent Battiloro, solemnly expressed his “sincerest condolences” to the victims, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, whom he referred to as having been lost in a tragic event.
He went on to reveal that he was facing threats from the community against his family due to “this whole situation” and lamented being “bullied” over “false accusations” from the past.
In the livestream broadcasted on YouTube, he commented, “This is a very serious incident that happened; I don’t even know if I should be saying this right now… it’s in God’s hands, and everything will be alright, I’ll get it sorted,” he remarked on Tuesday.
He added, “There’s more to this story, but I cannot comment further.”
Battiloro is alleged to have struck Maria and Isabella while they were riding their e-bikes around 5:30 p.m., subsequently fleeing the scene in his black Jeep.
While officials reported that the supposed driver was taken into custody shortly after the incident, it appears he was released before facing arrest and formal charges for two counts of first-degree murder on Wednesday.
Currently in custody, Battiloro’s YouTube channel primarily features gaming and baseball commentary, and he is being prosecuted as a juvenile.
In cases of homicide, minors as young as 15 can be charged as adults, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office informed The Post via email on Thursday that they are “exploring all available legal options for prosecution.”
Claims from family and friends have suggested that the accused had been following Maria for several months prior to the incident.
Furthermore, the victim’s families have stated that the collision was premeditated, labeling him as “a coward of a man.”
<p“The truth must be told: This was not simply an e-bike accident nor a hit-and-run; this was first-degree murder,” the families asserted to Fox 5. “This coward, who had been scheming against Maria for months, committed a heinous act that cost both her life and Isabella’s.”
Contrarily, Battiloro tried to position himself as the one deserving sympathy during his lengthy remarks.
<p“I’ve been through so much. I’m just a nice kid, 17 years old with a supportive family,” he insisted.
<p“And being subjected to these damaging allegations is so upsetting.”
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It remains uncertain whether Battiloro was alluding to the hit-and-run accusations or the stalking allegations.
He bizarrely suggested several times that it might be wise for him to remain silent, yet he continued his rant.
<p“I’m really unsure if I should even be discussing this right now,” he stated.
He also remarked that New Jersey needs to enhance its mental health resources but stopped short of acknowledging any personal mental health issues.
<p“I want to address one more point, alright? There needs to be more emphasis on mental health support in the state because I’ve faced bullying, ridicule, and more over false allegations from the past. There’s more to this story, and eventually, it will be revealed,” he concluded.
