On Sept. 29, tragedy struck Cranford, NJ when 2 17-year-old girls, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, were fatally struck by the driver of a black SUV. The girls had been riding an e-bike on their way to get ice cream with Niotis’s family, according to nytimes.com. The tragedy sent shock waves through Cranford, leaving the community heartbroken.
According to cbsnews.com, the incident occurred on Burnside Ave., a residential street in Cranford. Despite the Cranford Police Department’s swift response, both Niotis and Salas died shortly after being airlifted to a local hospital.
In the days following, rumors circulated rapidly across social media. Conflicting narratives were exchanged about the crash and the perpetrator, fueling confusion and drawing national news coverage. The speculation was amplified due to many details of the case falling under the protections of the juvenile justice system, keeping key details confidential.
In a speech to the Cranford Township Committee on Oct. 7, Cranford Chief of Police Matthew Nazzaro cautioned against spreading and believing misinformation. “As members of the community, we share a collective responsibility to seek justice for the victims. However, we must emphasize the importance of refraining from speculating about the facts of this case on social media,” he said.
Nazzaro added that misinformation can “potentially [hinder] the pursuit of justice,” and that “it is essential to rely on official sources for updates and factual information during this sensitive time.”
Beyond this, members of the Cranford Police Department declined to comment on the active investigation as it remains under the jurisdiction of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. However, Detective Lieutenant Spencer Durkin did confirm that the case has been given to the Union County’s Homicide Task Force.
According to cnn.com, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office has since confirmed that a 17-year-old male from Garwood was charged with 2 counts of first-degree murder in connection with the crash. Prosecutors allege that the crash was deliberate, as the accused was going 70 mph at the time of the collision despite the street’s 25 mph speed limit.
Friends and family of the victims said the suspect had a troubling history. Some claim that he allegedly stalked Niotis for months leading up to the crash despite multiple complaints to police.
According to nytimes.com, the suspect had a streaming channel on YouTube where he mocked the victims’ families prior to the accident. He was reportedly streaming live the night after the incident, fueling outrage in the community. He maintained his innocence, but told his audience “if you don’t see me streaming for a little bit, you’ll understand why.”
The effects of this tragedy have rippled through Cranford and into neighboring towns. Westfield Chief of Police Christopher Battiloro wrote in a Facebook post on Oct. 1 that while the suspect in the fatal crash “is related to [him], he is not [his] son and not a member of [his] immediate family.” He continued, “As a law enforcement officer, I maintain full faith and confidence in our criminal justice system.”
Residents have rallied in remembrance of both girls. Flowers and candles line Burnside Ave., and vigils have drawn hundreds of mourners.
As the investigation remains ongoing, Chief Nazzaro urged the community to remain united. “Let us keep the families of these two young women in our thoughts and continue to offer them our support,” he said. “Together, we can honor the memories of the victims and work towards fostering a more supportive and resilient community.”