Lawyer: Teen’s Dashcam May Show Two Girls’ Deaths Were Intentional

A dashcam video from the vehicle of an accused New Jersey killer could become a key piece of evidence for prosecutors seeking to show that he intentionally struck two teenage girls riding an electric bicycle, an attorney for one victim’s family said. Investigators reportedly believe the footage captures the driver turning around and following the girls.

A Union County grand jury indicted Vincent Battiloro, 18, of Garwood, on Wednesday on two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths.

Brent Bramnick, the attorney for Maria Niotis’ family, said footage from the 2021 Black Jeep Compass driven by Battiloro could help establish what prosecutors allege was his intent before he struck and killed Maria and Isabella Salas. Both girls were 17 when they died on Sept. 29, 2025.

Court records allege that Battiloro was traveling as fast as 70 mph on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, where the speed limit was 25 mph. The two best friends were riding together on an e-bike when the Jeep allegedly hit them from behind.

Cranford police issued citations alleging speeding, reckless driving, improper passing and an unsafe lane change, among other violations. Bramnick said those allegations describe dangerous conduct, but prosecutors pursuing murder convictions must go further and prove that Battiloro deliberately caused the girls’ deaths.

“So I think even more important than the allegations in the tickets, even though obviously everything’s important, is the fact that this was evidently recorded as it’s happening,” Bramnick told News Media.

“And that requires a lot of work and that requires making sure you have all the evidence to show, piece by piece, what this defendant was thinking, and that it was not an accident.”

Even so, Bramnick said he believes the available evidence will support the murder charges.

“We certainly believe based upon all the evidence presented so far that the intention was to commit those murders,” he said.

Authorities allege that Battiloro left the SUV after the crash and ran from the scene. Police cited him for leaving an accident involving personal injury and for failing to report the collision.

He also faces allegations involving improper or unclear license plates, a lack of registration and insurance documentation, and failure to provide proof of a driver’s license.

The day after the crash, Battiloro appeared on a YouTube gaming livestream, where he complained that people were mocking him over what he described as “false allegations.”

Stalking and swatting accusations

Foulla Niotis, Maria’s mother, said Battiloro had pursued her daughter for months before the crash. Battiloro had previously attended Lincoln School in Cranford with Maria, and Niotis said she reported the alleged stalking to police but saw no action taken.

“Nobody said to me if there was anything I could do, restraining orders or anything against him,” Niotis previously told News Media. “They just kept saying, ‘Oh, he’s a juvenile.’”

Bramnick also alleged that someone swatted the Niotis home at least twice in September 2025.

Adult charges

Cranford police questioned Battiloro on Sept. 29, 2025, but released him to his father after he claimed that someone had carjacked him at knifepoint.

In June, after reviewing the dashcam footage, police arrested Battiloro and charged him as an adult.

Bramnick said Battiloro remains in custody after his defense agreed to detention without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of challenging the status later.

Battiloro’s defense attorney, Brian Biglin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Battiloro’s arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 27, at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

“There’ll be an opportunity to have this play out, where people can see what’s going on, and that is hugely important for the public,” Bramnick added.

“Certainly, enormously important for the family, and I think, the Niotis family certainly is happy we’re here, and, you know, want justice.”