(NewsNation) — A 17-year-old boy is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly killing two teenage girls in a hit-and-run in New Jersey. Police say he was going 70 mph in a 25 mph zone.
The 17-year-old victims, Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis, were on an e-bike when they were hit by a car at around 5:30 p.m. Monday. They were rushed to the hospital but died of their injuries.
On Wednesday, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced a 17-year-old suspect was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
“Following a comprehensive and extensive investigation, the driver of the vehicle involved has been taken into custody by members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Cranford Police Department,” the agency wrote.
Prosecutors didn’t name the suspect. NJ.com obtained citations issued in the crash that named the suspect as Vincent P. Battiloro, 17, of Garwood, New Jersey.
He’s accused of deliberately hitting and killing the girls, per the publication, and was issued 15 tickets, including leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, careless driving and speeding.
Currently, the case is in the juvenile court, but minors 15 or older can be tried as adults in the state if a prosecutor files a waiver motion and the court finds probable cause, according to NJ.com. The prosecutor’s office said as of Thursday morning, the suspect was in custody.
Victims’ families speak out
The victims’ families released a statement to FOX 5, saying, “It is now vital that the truth be shared: this was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run. This was murder in the first degree.”
They described Battiloro as “a coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, carried out this horrific act, taking not only her life but also Isabella’s. He is not insane, he is competent and medicated.”
Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro released a statement via Facebook confirming he is related to the accused killer.
“While social media has made it known that the accused is related to me, he is not my son and not a member of my immediate family,” he wrote.
“I want to be clear, as loud and as firm as possible, that in NO WAY do my wife, children or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that caused this terrible and tragic loss of life.”
The suspect appeared to defend himself on YouTube Tuesday, saying in a video that the crash was “an absolute unfortunate situation.”
“There’s more to the story that you’re not getting,” he said. “But when the time comes, I will explain it in greater detail.”
The victims’ families plan to speak at a news conference Thursday night.