The 17-year-old driver charged with two counts of murder after allegedly killing two teenagers in an e-bike crash in Cranford was described as a “coward of a man” by the victims’ families on Wednesday.
In a statement released to Fox 5, the families of Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis lashed out at the Garwood teen who was arrested Wednesday.
“It is now vital that the truth be shared: this was not an e-bike accident, and it was not a hit-and-run,” the statement said. “This was murder in the first degree.”
The families’ statement went on to call the driver — a relative of Westfield police chief Christopher Battiloro — “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,” the statement added.
Police have not identified the 17-year-old driver or said if he has an attorney.
The girls, both students at Cranford High School, were hit at about 5:30 p.m. Monday on Burnside Avenue. Both died of their injuries later Monday.
Vigils and public memorials appeared around the community Wednesday as friends and relatives mourned the two teenage girls.
Isabella’s father told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday that his daughter did not know the person accused of hitting the two girls.
He said Maria’s mother said just after the crash that her daughter had been dealing with problems with the driver accused of hitting them.
Battiloro, Westfield’s police chief, said the teen driver is a relative of his, but not part of his immediate family.
Isabella was part of Celebration Singers Choir, Cranford High School Concert Choir and an acapella group, her online obituary said.
“She was especially passionate with theater, as she was a part of many plays through Hillside Avenue School and Cranford High School, as well as Cranford Dramatic Club Theater,” the obituary said. “She was kind, generous, gentle, and will forever be deeply loved by her family.”
Visitation for Isabella will take place Saturday at Dooley Funeral Home in Cranford with a graveside service scheduled for Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Maria was born in Rhodes, Greece, and was a lifelong resident of Cranford, her obituary said. She had a twin brother.
“Maria was loved by her friends and family both here and in Greece and she will be dearly missed,” her obituary said.
Maria worked at Cake Artist Café in Cranford and aspired to graduate high school and start a cosmetology career, according to the online obituary.
Visitation for Maria will be held Thursday night with a service scheduled for Friday, both at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Union.
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