A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in a fatal hit-and-run incident in Cranford, New Jersey. This incident resulted in the tragic loss of two young lives, friends who were innocently riding an e-bike when it occurred.

The fatal crash took place on Monday evening, when a black 2021 Jeep Compass reportedly struck the two girls on a residential street. They were promptly transported to local hospitals, where, sadly, they were pronounced dead.

The alleged driver, a resident of nearby Garwood, was located and taken into custody later that same day. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office has since charged him with two counts of first-degree murder, following what has been described as a ‘comprehensive and extensive investigation’.

The prosecutor’s office had sought the assistance of residents and anyone in the area at the time of the crash, asking them to check their home surveillance or dashcam footage for any footage of the Jeep. The importance of this should not be overlooked, as it helped lead to the arrest.

In the aftermath of this tragic incident, a vigil held on Tuesday night drew hundreds of mourners to honor the memory of the young victims. Cranford officials expressed their gratitude for the arrest and their sorrow over what they referred to as the “heartbreaking and senseless murders of two young women from our community.”

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The prosecutor’s office and Cranford police have maintained the anonymity of the victims and the suspect, choosing not to release their names or ages. It remains unclear whether the suspect will face additional charges or be tried as an adult. The evidence suggests that there is still much we do not know about this case.

@njdotcom

A 17-year-old male from Garwood has been charged with murder in the hit-and-run deaths of two teenage girls in Cranford Monday night, police say. The teenage driver, who was not identified by investigators, is charged with two counts of first degree murder. Friends and family have identified the girls as Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, who were both 17. ✒️ Katie Kausch | AJ McDougall #nj #cranfordnj #police #njnews

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In a surprising turn of events, the police chief of Westfield, New Jersey, Christopher Battiloro, confirmed his familial connection to the suspect and his neighborly relationship with one of the victims. His statement indicated his shock and distress over the incident and his condemnation of the alleged actions.

Questions remain unanswered, as we await further details on this case. We will be sure to keep you updated with any new information.