An 18-year-old Garwood resident will be tried as an adult on two murder charges in connection with the deaths of two juvenile girls who were struck while riding an electric bicycle in Cranford.
An 18-year-old Garwood man will face trial in adult court in connection with the deaths of two juvenile girls who were killed after being struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric bicycle in Cranford, authorities announced Friday.
Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Cranford Police Chief Matthew Nazzaro said Vincent Battiloro has been waived from the juvenile court system to adult court. Battiloro, whose identity had previously been withheld because he was a juvenile at the time of the incident, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Case moves to adult court
The fatal incident occurred on September 29, 2025, when Cranford police responded at approximately 5:26 p.m. to Burnside Avenue following reports that two juvenile females had been struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric bicycle.
Officers found both victims with critical injuries and they were transported to local hospitals, where they were later pronounced dead.
Following what officials described as a comprehensive investigation, Battiloro was taken into custody by members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Cranford Police Department.
“The Cranford Police Department is pleased with the judge’s decision to waive this juvenile to adult court,” Chief Matthew R. Nazzaro said. “We will continue working closely with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office as this case moves forward through the adult criminal justice system.”
Investigation remains open
With the waiver approved, the case will now proceed through the Criminal Part of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County Vicinage.
Authorities are continuing to seek information related to the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at (908) 370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Lieutenant Spencer Durkin at (908) 709-7346.
Key Points
- Vincent Battiloro, 18, will be tried as an adult in connection with the deaths of two juvenile girls in Cranford.
- Prosecutors said he faces two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the September 2025 crash on Burnside Avenue.
- Authorities continue to ask anyone with additional information to contact investigators.