Monday, October 13, 2025

UPDATE: NJ Teen Charged With Murder

Please
Share Article

Garwood Stalker Charged With Fatally Running Down 2 Cranford Teenage Girls

Thursday, October 2, 2025, 8:45 A.M. ET.  2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CRANFORD, NJ.- On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following an extensive investigation, Detectives of the Union Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force have formally charged a 17-year-old Garwood, New Jersey boy with two counts of Murder, in connection with fatally running down two 17-year-old Cranford, New Jersey girls late Monday afternoon on a quiet residential street.

     According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, just shortly before 5:30 p.m., on Monday, September 29, 2025, members of the Cranford Police Department responded to 911 Emergency Calls reporting two teen girls being struck by a motor vehicle on Burnside Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers located two teen girls, later identified as Isabella Salas, 17, and Maria Niotis, 17, both of Cranford, New Jersey, suffering from life-threatening injuries. Both Ms. Salas and Ms. Noitis were immediately transported to nearby hospitals, where, despite life-saving efforts, both girls tragically succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced deceased a short time later.

     During the initial investigation, Police Officers were able to identify a 17-year-old Garwood, New Jersey boy, as the driver of the 2021 Jeep Compass that struck the two girls who were riding along Burnside Avenue when they were fatally struck. The teenage boy was taken into custody a short time later in Garwood, New Jersey, after he fled the scene. 

Detectives Formally Charged The Juvenile Yesterday

     Following an extensive investigation, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Detectives formally charged the teen, whose identity has not been released, with two counts of first-degree Murder. Although Union County Officials have not reported the motive for the crimes, a relative of one of the victims reported that the teen boy had been stalking the girl and that there had been a restraining order against the boy. Based on the first-degree murder charges being filed, it is apparent that the teenage boy intentionally ran down the two girls.

     Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel stated, “We would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with this investigation, as well as members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Cranford Police Department for their diligent work during this investigation.”

     The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Union County Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at (908) 370-4318 or Detective Jason D’Agostino of the Cranford Police Department at (908) 276-0171.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: As in adult criminal cases, the charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and a juvenile defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”

PLEASE HELP US GROW

Art Fletcher
Art Fletcher
Founder & Executive Editor

Read more

Local News