A teenager has been charged with murder following the tragic incident in which he allegedly struck two 17-year-old girls in New Jersey, as identified by locals and traffic citations reviewed by a local news outlet.
Seventeen-year-old Vincent Battiloro has received multiple municipal summonses related to the tragic accident that occurred Monday night, as per documents obtained by NJ.com.
According to municipal court records, Battiloro, who hails from Garwood, was issued at least 15 traffic tickets.
The violations include leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, speeding, and driving without valid licensing, registration, or insurance, according to reports.
He is set to celebrate his 18th birthday next month, as indicated by his birth date on the cited tickets.
In New Jersey, a prosecutor’s office may seek to try a minor as an adult for specific offenses, including homicide, subject to a judge’s approval.
Battiloro faces two counts of first-degree murder, though his case is presently being adjudicated in juvenile court, with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office yet to officially confirm the identity of the alleged driver.
Residents have informed The Post that Battiloro was the driver responsible for fatally injuring Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas while they were riding an electric bike.
Family members have alleged that the driver had been stalking Maria in the lead-up to the tragic event.
A visit to Battiloro’s home yielded no response on Thursday, and attempts to contact the family were unsuccessful.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspect remains in custody.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the families of Maria and Isabella condemned Battiloro, describing him as a “coward” and alleging he had been “planning the attack against Maria for months.”
The two young victims were honored in obituaries reflecting on their bright futures, with Maria, originally from Greece, aspiring to a career in cosmetology and Isabella known for her singing talents and described as having “the voice of an angel.”
