A New Jersey teenager charged as an adult in the deaths of two 17-year-old girls allegedly continued livestreaming on YouTube after the incident, at one point telling viewers that criticism surrounding the case was increasing his online engagement and revenue, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Prosecutors allege that Vincent Battiloro, now 18, deliberately struck Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas with a Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, while the two teenagers were riding electric bikes in Cranford, New Jersey.
Battiloro was formally charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder on June 26 after his case was transferred from juvenile court.
NJ TEEN GIRLS KILLED: Two 17-year-olds, Maria Niotis & Isabella Salas, mowed down in Cranford by a hit-and-run Jeep.
The accused 17-year-old stalked one of the girls for MONTHS — restraining orders ignored, complaints dismissed.
Neighbor: “He was never stopped… she made… pic.twitter.com/idSDYlvuxG [2]
— Steven Latham (@StevenJLatham1) October 1, 2025 [3]
According to prosecutors, Battiloro appeared on a YouTube gaming livestream the day after the incident, where viewers repeatedly commented about the deaths of Niotis and Salas.
During the livestream, Battiloro addressed the volume of comments and suggested they were benefiting his channel.
“The more you guys engage in the chat, the more you give me engagement, and I get paid for YouTube. Just letting you all know. That’s fine. That’s fine. Y’all are just giving me engagement, that’s fine,” he said.
“I’m not doing s— until people stop messaging negativity.”
As the stream continued, Battiloro later addressed the incident more directly while maintaining that there was additional context he could not discuss.
“There has been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet. But I will say this. I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident. It is an absolute unfortunate situation. And there’s more to the story that you’re not getting,” Battiloro said.
“But when the time comes. I will explain it in greater detail. I’m not authorized to talk about the whole thing.”
Authorities allege dash camera footage recovered during the investigation captured Battiloro driving his Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025.
According to investigators, the video shows Battiloro driving to Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims.
Prosecutors allege he parked before observing Niotis and Salas riding electric bikes in the opposite direction.
Detectives allege Battiloro then made a U-turn, followed the girls, accelerated the Jeep, and struck both teenagers at a high rate of speed.
Officials further allege the vehicle came to a stop after the collision and that Battiloro fled the scene on foot.
Those allegations form the basis of the two first-degree murder charges now pending against him.
Because Battiloro was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offenses, his identity was initially withheld. That changed after prosecutors successfully transferred the case to adult court on June 26.
Brent Bramnick, an attorney representing the family of Maria Niotis, said the decision to prosecute Battiloro as an adult marked an important development for the victims’ families.
“The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive,” Bramnick told Fox News Digital.
Bramnick also said Battiloro allegedly made two false emergency reports, commonly referred to as “swatting,” targeting the Niotis family’s home in Cranford during September 2025.
According to Bramnick, both reported incidents occurred between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15, several weeks before the fatal collision.
The attorney said the family is seeking additional information regarding the law enforcement response to those earlier incidents.
“What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That’s the question. So we need those questions answered,” Bramnick said.
“And that’s why we’re involved, because we’re doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions.”
Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to Battiloro’s attorney for comment.
The criminal case remains pending, and Battiloro is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.