Teen Arrested and Charged After Two Teenage Girls Killed by Vehicle in New Jersey

A automobile murdered two 17-year-old e-bike riders in Cranford, New Jersey, on Monday night, shocking the town. Garwood police promptly apprehended a 17-year-old on two first-degree murder charges for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas.

Young women were heading home from school when the 5:30 p.m. Burnside Avenue collision occurred. Local officials said a black 2021 Jeep Compass hit both youngsters and fled before being abandoned. Hospitals killed both patients. Cranford police and the Union County Prosecutor thoroughly investigated the hit-and-run.

It was suspected that the accused pursued one victim for months. Friends and family said the child complained and got a restraining order, but school and city officials disregarded her. “She made complaints and nothing was done,” a victim friend stated despite warnings.

A rare statement by the nearby Westfield police chief disclosed a family connection to the accused. The accused denied any family connection and said neither he nor his family approves. He spoke after staying mute to avoid interfering with the probe after official claims.

The victims’ families reported first-degree murder. At a candlelight vigil, hundreds demanded accountability, saying the attacker “had been plotting this attack for months.” The mourning and furious community wants justice, while authorities ask anyone with surveillance video or relevant information to come forward.

While being heard, the case raises questions about how institutions and law enforcement handle harassment and stalking claims, especially from juveniles. The incident raises accountability, community safety, and vulnerable kid protection concerns.

Sources
News reports from People, ABC News, CBS News, NBC New York, Fox News, and local New Jersey media.