A teen boy in New Jersey is facing murder charges after a deadly hit-and-run. His two victims were teenage girls who were riding an e-bike in their neighborhood when they were hit by an SUV. Details are still emerging, but many wonder if the crash was an accident or premeditated. Those who knew the girls claim the boy was stalking one of the teens. With this knowledge, they believe the crash was intentional and are seeking justice for the girls.
The awful crash happened around 5:30 p.m. September 29, 2025, as the girls rode an e-bike through a residential neighborhood. Police arrived within two minutes of the 911 call being placed. According to police, the girls were hit by a black SUV that didn’t stop.
The girls, who were later identified as Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were taken to the hospital, where they later died from their injuries. Both were 17 years old.
“At first, I thought it was a shooting because I saw people going in every direction,” neighbor Cathy Donli told ABC 6. Others said they heard screeching tires. “And then it sounded like a car crash; people are going way too fast down the street, and it’s really scary,” neighbor Clare Garambone added.
Police eventually tracked down the teen driving and arrested him. He has not been identified, but CBS New York reported that he has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
“I just hope that this kid or whomever gets the maximum penalty there of some sort,” a resident of Cranford, where the killing took place, told the outlet.
Even though details about the teen boy have not been released, relatives of the girls claim that they knew him. They claimed that he had been stalking one of the girls and that a restraining order had been filed.
“She made complaints and nothing was done,” family friend Tammy Carbajal told the outlet. “It’s just a tragedy.”
A neighbor spoke with FOX 5 New York, saying, “He’s been parked outside her house for three months now. He was never stopped.” Another neighbor mentioned that the school was also notified, and that the stalking was both in person and online.
Since their deaths, the area where the girls were killed has turned into a memorial. Friends, loved ones, and neighbors have been gathering, sharing tributes to the girls.
“They were both really kind and high-spirited. One thing I really admired about them is they really did not care what others thought. They were just them being them. And I just thought that was beautiful,” Ania Sokoloski said.
Scott Rubin, Cranford superintendent, shared a message about the deaths with the school community, CBS News New York reported. “Our thoughts are with all of you, and especially the families and closest friends of the students involved. Please look after one another throughout our Cranford community and share any strength you have with those who need it most.”
A GoFundMe account has been started by someone who knows one of the families. Any funds raised will be evenly divided between the two families.
