N.J. teen was driving 70 mph when he intentionally hit 2 girls on e-bike, cops say

The teen accused of killing two Cranford girls by running them down with his SUV was driving 70 miles per hour at the time of the crash, cops say.

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17, was driving nearly three times the 25-mile-per-hour speed limit when he fatally hit Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, on Monday in Cranford, court records allege.

In addition to the murder charges, Battiloro was issued citations for leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, careless driving and speeding. He also received summonses for driving without a license, a registration and an insurance card, municipal court records show.

It’s unclear if Battiloro has a lawyer. Family members have not returned requests for comment.

Battiloro will turn 18 early next month, according to the birthdate listed on the tickets.

The girls were struck around 5:30 p.m. near Burnside Avenue, authorities said. Both later died of their injuries.

In a statement sent to Fox 5 New York, the families of the girls said they believed the attack was planned.

“It is now vital that the truth be shared: this was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run,” the statement said. “This was murder in the first degree.”

The families’ statement went on to call the driver — a relative of Westfield police chief Christopher Battiloro — “a coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, carried out this horrific act, taking not only her life but also Isabella’s.”

“He is not insane, he is competent and medicated,” the statement added.

Friends and family have said that Battiloro was stalking Maria for several months. Isabella’s family has said she did not really know Battiloro.

Maria’s mother, Foulla Niotis, addressed the press on the lawn of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union following Maria’s wake Thursday night.

“I’m not standing here today not just as a mother, but as Maria’s mother, and that is the greatest title I will ever hold,” Niotis said. “Maria had a passion for all things beautiful …. but it wasn’t just about appearance, Maria believed in making people feel beautiful.”

Visitation for Isabella will take place Saturday at Dooley Funeral Home in Cranford with a graveside service scheduled for Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.

A funeral Mass for Maria is scheduled for Friday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union.

NJ Advance Media staff reporters Jeff Goldman and Kevin Shea contributed to this report.