CRANFORD — A 17-year-old male from Garwood was charged today with two counts of first-degree murder following a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash that left two teen girls dead on Monday night.
According to information provided by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the girls, who have been identified on social media as Cranford High School students Isabella and Maria, were struck while bicycling on Burnside Avenue in Cranford at around 5:30 p.m.
The girls were immediately transported to nearby medical treatment facilities but ultimately succumbed to serious injuries.
The driver of the vehicle, who reportedly fled the scene on foot, was located and apprehended by the Cranford and Garwood Police Departments shortly thereafter. He was allegedly released on bail prior to the murder charges that were levied against him on Wednesday.
“We would like to thank the 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 Cranford Police Department for their diligent work during this investigation. We hope that this arrest will begin to provide some measures of comfort for the families and loved ones of the victims,” Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel stated.
“The Township of Cranford is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two young women,” members of the Cranford Township Committee said Tuesday via Facebook, “Our hearts go out to their families, friends and loved ones during this time of unimaginable pain and sorrow. The Cranford Police Department is working closely with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office on the investigation.”
Multiple social media users and news outlets have reported that the collision is suspected to be intentional and may have stemmed from a prior relationship between one of the victims and the alleged driver. On Tuesday night, a livestream on YouTube by “VinnieBat118” aired and was viewed and shared by hundreds of local teens who repeatedly called the user a “killer” in the comments.
Leading up to the livestream, the user teased his upcoming video across social media platforms like Instagram with posts like “live [tonight]. I suggest you all keep a piece of mind of the things I’m gonna say” and “you guys want something to leak y’all got it”.
In the 22-minute livestream, VinnieBat says, “in a neighboring town, unfortunately, two girls were killed in a hit-and-run crash. There has been a lot of misinformation going on over the Internet, but I will say this – I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in in that tragic accident. It is an absolute unfortunate situation and there is more to the story that you’re not getting. When the time comes, I will explain it in greater detail.”
“I love you all to absolute death, and regardless of what happens, if you don’t see me streaming for a while, you’ll understand why, but this will be in the hands of Jesus,” he tells his followers. “I am not going to talk about it anymore on the advice of loved ones and others.”
Prosecutor Daniel is asking residents and/or anyone who was traveling in the area of Hillcrest Avenue, Burnside Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue in Cranford around the time of the crash to check home surveillance cameras or dash cameras for footage of a 2021 black Jeep Compass Utility 4D Altitude 4WD with tinted windows. In particular, investigators are looking for any witnesses to the crash and/or any video that depicts the suspected vehicle before or after the crash.
Requests for comment by the prosecutor’s office were not returned at the time of publication.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Detective Alex Lanza at (908) 370-4318 or Cranford Police Detective Jason D’Agostino at (908) 276-0171.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org. Submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an arrest and indictment may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.
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Editor’s Note: The Leader is unable as of press time to verify last names of the victims. All involved parties, including the driver, are believed to be minors.
The Leader updated this story at 12:09 p.m. on Wednesday after the print edition.
