Teen Charged in Deadly Cranford Crash Was Released Before Arrest, Later Spoke in Livestream
After two adolescent girls died in an accident involving 17-year-old Vincent P. Battiloro, Cranford was rattled. Battiloro was held after the collision but released by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office pending further investigation. He was caught two days later and charged with two first-degree murders of 17-year-olds Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas.
Battiloro, driving an SUV, hit the two girls on an e-bike on Monday. One of his 15 traffic tickets said he was speeding 70 mph at impact, according to court records. Two famous students from Cranford died, causing much mourning.
The little online behavior of Battiloro between his release and arrest was much more concerning. He went live on YouTube and gave a long, rambling speech on the incident. His feed was terminated Friday afternoon, but earlier livestreams indicated trouble. He wanted revenge and believed he was falsely accused in previous films. The community and investigators also found that Battiloro stalked Maria Niotis in the months before the incident.
Battiloro’s family ties make the event more sensitive. Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said the teen is related but not his immediate relatives. Public examination of this relationship has spurred locals to demand investigation transparency.
The families’ anguish is unbearable. Niotis’ funeral was Friday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Salas’ wake was Saturday, and his graveside service was Monday. Both families called Battiloro a coward and accused him of plotting the catastrophe for months, calling for accountability and mourning the victims.
Questions remain about how officials handled the original release, why the youngster was permitted to discuss the tragedy online before being caught, and how to prevent future disasters. Cranford is mourning the tragic deaths of two young people and seeking justice in a case that has garnered attention.
Sources
Union County Prosecutor’s Office statements
Family and community interviews
Court and police records
Local media reports
