Garwood Teen Pleads Not Guilty to Murder in Cranford Girls' Deaths

A Garwood teenager accused of intentionally striking and killing two Cranford High School students with a vehicle pleaded not guilty on Monday to two counts of murder.

Vincent Battiloro, 18, appeared on October 26 before Union County Superior Court Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh in Elizabeth for a post-indictment arraignment. Battiloro did not speak during the hearing. His attorney, Rubin Sinins, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.

Union County Assistant Prosecutor Jillian Reyes told the court the state has no plea offer in the case. Sinins said he may seek a change of venue, and Walsh asked that the motion be among the first filed. Sinins also indicated he may pursue a diminished capacity defense. The next hearing is scheduled for December.

The mothers of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas attended the arraignment with a group of supporters. Supporters filled a row of the gallery wearing shirts that read Justice for Bella and Maria, the New York Post reported. After the hearing, Mary Salas told reporters through tears, "We will fight like hell until they get the justice they deserve." Foula Niotis said, "It is harder and harder every day. I just wish I could bring her back."

The crash in Cranford

Battiloro was indicted on October 14, just over a year after the crash that killed Niotis and Salas. On September 29, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m., Cranford police were notified that two teenage girls riding an electric bicycle had been struck by a vehicle on Burnside Avenue. Officers found the girls at the scene. They were taken to a hospital, where they later died. Both girls were 17 years old and were best friends, and both were students at Cranford High School.

Court documents cited dash camera footage that allegedly showed Battiloro getting into a Jeep, driving on Burnside Avenue, accelerating behind the girls and striking them at a high rate of speed. Police said the Jeep was traveling at 70 mph in a 25 mph zone, the New York Post reported.

Battiloro was 17 at the time of the crash. He was taken into custody by the Union County Prosecutor's Office and the Cranford Police Department and was initially charged as a juvenile. The case was waived to adult court during the summer, and a grand jury indicted him on October 14 on two counts of murder.

What the families say

The families of the two girls have maintained that the crash was not an accident. They have said Battiloro had been harassing Niotis and that she had obtained a restraining order against him before the crash.

Monday's hearing was Battiloro's first court appearance since prosecutors charged him as an adult, the Post reported. He entered the courtroom handcuffed and wearing an olive colored jail jumpsuit, a grey shirt and slippers, and showed no emotion during the brief hearing, according to the Post.

Battiloro has pleaded not guilty, and the murder charges remain allegations to be tested at trial. The case returns to court in December, when the venue request and the defense approach signaled on Monday are expected to start taking shape.