A 17-year-old New Jersey boy who was charged with fatally hitting two girls with his car on Monday was reportedly speeding at the time of the incident.
According to WNBC, the suspect was driving 70 in a 25 zone when he crashed into Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17, as they rode electronic bikes in Cranford. Witnesses said the crash appeared intentional, and the driver sped off afterward.
Sources told WNBC that Salas and Niotis knew their killer. The teen boy was also accused of stalking one of the girls and would park out front of her home for three months. One of the girls reportedly had a restraining order against the suspect.
In a joint statement issued to WNBC, the victims’ families said the suspect was a “coward of a man, who had been plotting this attack against Maria for months, [and] carried out this horrific act.” Reports indicated that the suspect may have been targeting Niotis at the time of Monday’s incident.
The teen boy was arrested on Wednesday. A day after the deadly crash, he allegedly took to YouTube to claim he was bullied and talk about the government not handling the mental health crisis. During the livestream, he reportedly mentioned all the engagement he was receiving from viewers who admonished him for Salas and Niotis’ slayings.
“I’m a nice kid, I’m 17 years old with a good family by my side and these allegations that have been ruining everything it’s a shame,” he allegedly commented during Tuesday’s livestream.
Those close to the case speculated that the suspect was not arrested before Monday’s incident because he is related to a police chief. Since then, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro confirmed the suspect is his nephew.
The teen boy remains jailed on two counts of first-degree murder. Though he has been identified in multiple media reports, CrimeOnline is not naming him until he is charged as an adult.
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