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NJ Teen Suspect Taunts Viewers in Chilling Livestream About Fatal Hit-and-Run, Hinting There’s “More to the Story”.NN

The teen driver charged with intentionally mowing down two 17-year-old girls in New Jersey — including one he was allegedly stalking — ranted about the horrific crash in a chilling video a day before his arrest, as the victims’ families claimed the sickening attack was planned “for months.”

In the YouTube video, the bespectacled 17-year-old, who multiple neighbors confirmed to The Post was accused murderer Vincent Battiloro, shockingly expressed his “sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident,” referring to victims Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both of Cranford.

He then whined that locals were making threats against his family “about this whole spiel” and “whole drama” while arguing he’s been “bullied” over past “false allegations.”

Vincent P. Battiloro in thick-rimmed glasses.
Vincent P. Battiloro 17, charged with Hit & run death of two teens Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis on a leafy suburban street in quiet Cranford, NJ. VinnieBat118/YouTube

“This is a very serious incident that happened, and I don’t even know if I should be sharing this right now … this will be in the hands of Jesus, everything will be OK, I will get this sorted out,” he said in the Tuesday livestream. “…There’s more to the story, but again, I’m not gonna be authorized to comment on it.”

Battiloro, of Garwood, is accused of striking Maria and Isabella as they rode an e-bike around 5:30 p.m. in Cranford, a leafy suburb about 25 miles west of New York City — then fleeing in his black Jeep. The pair was airlifted to the hospital, where they died.

Family and friends have claimed that the alleged killer was stalking Maria for months leading up to the deadly crash.

The victims’ family even alleged the crash was premeditated while ripping Battiloro — who is set to turn 18 early next month — as “a coward of a man.” 

Collage of two headshots of young women, Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis.
Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis were struck while riding an e-bike together. Obtained by the NY Post

“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 families told Fox 5. “This was murder in the first degree.

“A coward of a man who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, carried out his horrific act, taking not only her life but also Isabella’s.”

A friend of both girls told The Post that Battiloro was known for creeping outside Maria’s house.

“How can you sit in front of someone’s house for three months? He was out there in front of her house, in the same car, his car, for three months,” the distraught pal said. “I saw it! Tell me. How is he able to do that?”

Vincent P. Battiloro, 17, charged with hit and run.
Minors as young as 15 years old can be charged as adults tied to homicides. VinnieBat118/YouTube

“He needs to go to jail for the rest of his life,” she added. “He took two lives. He should at least give up one.”

Isabella’s father told NJ.com his daughter didn’t know the alleged driver, but that Maria’s mother told him her daughter was having issues with the 17-year-old suspect.

A friend of both girls added that Maria and her ex-boyfriend, believe to be Battiloro, were having serious problems, and the ex even sent a threatening text to a boy that Maria dated after they broke up, NJ.com reported.

Isabella Salas (left) with her mother Mary Salas.
Isabella Salas (left) with her mother Mary Salas in an undated Facebook photo. Facebook/Mary Salas

One of texts reviewed by the outlet showed one of the teens telling the ex-boyfriend “the school already told you to stop harassing her.”

No one answered at the Battiloro’s home in neighboring Garwood Thursday. A message to his parents was not returned.

Prosecutors have yet to officially name Battiloro. But he was outed as the alleged killer through a series of traffic summonses from the Monday crash obtained by NJ.com.

Neighbors also identified the troubled teen to The Post as the driver in the crash.

At least 15 tickets were issued against him, including leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and speeding, as well as driving without a license, registration or insurance card, the outlet reported.

While authorities said hours after the alleged hit-and-run Monday that the driver was taken into custody, Battiloro was clearly free to record the bizarre video Tuesday.

It took authorities until Wednesday to arrest and formally charge him with two counts of first-degree murder.

A memorial of flowers, candles, teddy bears, and photographs for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas in Cranford, New Jersey.
A memorial with flowers, candles, and photographs is seen on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, NJ, early Thursday, October 2, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

The alleged killer’s uncle, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, condemned his own nephew in a social media post this week as he attempted to distance himself from the ugly situation.

He said he, his wife and children are “absolutely heartbroken over this senseless loss of life.”

“I do unequivocably condemn the actions of the accused, and like you, I demand that he face the consequences of his alleged actions in a court of law,” he said while mentioning he was neighbors with Isabella.

“As a law enforcement officer, I maintain full faith and confidence in our criminal justice system, and that it will ensure he is held fully accountable. I, too, pray for these families. I, too, demand full accountability and justice.”

Battiloro is now in custody though currently being tried as a juvenile.

Aerial view of a street with police cars and officers, with yellow crime scene tape visible.
Battiloro is now in custody though currently being tried as a juvenile. CBS News New York

Minors as young as 15 years old can be charged as adults if they are tied to a homicide, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday it was “exploring all legal options available for prosecution.”

The two girls were remembered as beloved teens who had their whole lives ahead of them.

Maria was born in Rhodes, Greece, and then moved to the Garden State, where she lived most of her life, her obituary stated.

She was a student at Cranford High School, worked at Cake Artist Café and leaves behind a twin brother.

“She aspired to graduate high school and start a cosmetology career,” her loved ones wrote.

Her funeral is set Friday at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union.

Edwin Salas, father of Isabella Salas, crying outside his Cranford, NJ, home, surrounded by relatives and friends.
Edwin Salas, father of deceased Isabella Salas, breaks down in tears outside his Cranford, NJ, home early Thursday, October 2, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Isabella was also a lifelong Cranford resident and went to the local high school, according to her obituary.

She was involved in numerous clubs, including choir, an a capella group and the Cranford Dramatic Club Theater.

“She was a very talented singer with the voice of an angel,” her relatives wrote, adding, “She was kind, generous, gentle, and will forever be deeply loved by her family.”

Her wake is set for Saturday. 

Family and friends were seen weeping outside of Isabella’s parents’ home Thursday afternoon. The family was too distraught to speak.

Battiloro, meanwhile, attempted to paint himself as the real victim during his 22-minute YouTube video — where he was barraged with comments about his alleged involvement in the crash. 

Mary Salas, Isabella Salas, and Edwin Salas pose for a photo.
Mary Salas, Isabella Salas, and Edwin Salas in an undated Facebook photo. Facebook/Mary Salas

“are you going to jail,” one commentator said while another railed, “you should go to jail.”

The comments popped up on Battiloro’s screen as he mindlessly chatted about baseball and video games — before then turning to the fatal crash.

“I’ve been through way too much. I’m a nice kid. I’m 17 years old with a good family by my side,” the sports TikTokker claimed. “And these allegations that have been ruining everything is a shame.”

It’s not clear what allegations he was referring to.

Battiloro also surreally acknowledged multiple times that it’d be better if he kept his mouth shut.

Pink sneakers hanging from a utility pole at a memorial site.
A pair of pink women’s sneakers is seen at a memorial of flowers, candles, and photographs on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, NJ, early Thursday, October 2, 2025. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

But instead, he kept blabbing.

“I really don’t even know if I should be streaming this right now,” he said.

He claimed the Garden State needed to provide better resources for mental health but did not admit he needed help.

“I wanna address one more thing, OK?” he said. 

Isabella Salas in an undated Facebook photo.
Isabella Salas in an undated Facebook photo. Facebook/Mary Salas

“I really think there needs to be more done to address mental health in the state cause you know … I’ve been bullied, ridiculed and stuff over false allegations, OK? About things that have happened in the past. There’s more to this story, it’ll come out in the future.” 

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He added, “The amount of bullying I’ve been put through in the past has been absolutely absurd. But again, if I do end up taking a hiatus, I’m telling you guys why.”

— Additional reporting by Nicholas McEntyre

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