Authorities in Union County, New Jersey, have charged a 17-year-old boy with two counts of first-degree murder after he allegedly struck and killed two teenage girls in a hit-and-run crash earlier this week.
The victims, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, were riding e-bikes through Cranford on Monday evening when they were hit by a 2021 black Jeep Compass. Prosecutors say the driver fled the scene after the collision, leaving behind a devastating trail of evidence. The vehicle dragged one of the bikes for a distance before coming to a stop.
Investigators allege that the accused teen had been stalking Maria in the weeks leading up to the incident, with neighbors and friends reporting troubling behavior. Some said the girl’s family had previously raised concerns to school officials and local police, though it remains unclear how much was formally documented.
After his arrest, the suspect was charged with two counts of murder and additional offenses connected to the crash. He is currently being held in custody as the legal process moves forward.
The tragedy has shaken the Cranford community, with hundreds attending a candlelight vigil to honor the girls. Friends remembered Maria and Isabella as bright students with promising futures, while local leaders vowed to review how potential warning signs may have been overlooked.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation is still active, with authorities seeking more surveillance footage and witness accounts to determine whether the attack was premeditated. If convicted, the teen could face one of the harshest sentences available under state law for a juvenile charged as an adult.