A 17-year-old boy from Garwood, New Jersey, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in connection with a deadly hit-and-run that killed two teenage girls. 

The crash happened just before 5:30 p.m. Monday on the 40th block of Burnside Avenue. The speed limit in the quiet, residential area is 25 mph. 

The scene of the crash is now a memorial with flowers, candles and balloons. The community is demanding justice for Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, the 17-year-old girls who were killed in the crash. They were riding an e-bike Monday night when the driver of a black SUV fatally struck them and fled the scene before ditching his car, police said. The driver was tracked down and taken into custody later that evening, according to police. 

"I just hope that this kid or whomever gets the maximum penalty there of some sort," a Cranford resident said. 

Suspect stalked one of the victims, relatives claim

Authorities have not yet released details about the driver.

Relatives and friends of the victims claim the two girls knew the driver. They also said a restraining order was filed against the young man after he allegedly stalked one of the victims. 

"She made complaints and nothing was done," Tammy Carbajal said. "It's just a tragedy. It's just a tragedy." 

The Union County prosecutor's office is asking neighbors who live nearby to check their surveillance and dash cams. They are specifically looking for video of a 2021 black Jeep Compass with tinted windows, before, during or after the crash.

While the suspect's name has not been released due to his age, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro put out a statement regarding the accused. 

"Like many of you, I am shocked, stunned, and so overwhelmingly distressed beyond belief by the horrific loss of two young ladies, which occurred in the Township of Cranford on Monday night. Not only did my police officers and I urgently respond to this incident to aid our law enforcement partners in Cranford, but I reside in the very neighborhood where it occurred," Battiloro wrote. "While social media has made it known that the accused is related to me, he is not my son and not a member of my immediate family. I want to be clear, as loud and as firm as possible, that in NO WAY do my wife, children or I condone, defend, or excuse the actions that caused this terrible and tragic loss of life."

"As a result of this tragic incident, I lost a neighbor – a beautiful, charismatic young lady named Isabella Salas, who I have watched grow up since the day I moved to Cranford," he added. "My neighborhood feels violated and we are grieving. I am writing this to let you know that I stand WITH you – my Cranford friends and neighbors – and that I grieve WITH you. My wife, my children and I are absolutely heartbroken over this senseless loss of life, but also of the lost feeling of safety and security in the neighborhood and community that you and I call home."

Victims remembered at vigil 

A solemn memorial has grown at the scene of the tragedy. Friends and family came to pay their respects and light candles at the spot where the girls were killed. 

"They were both really kind and high-spirited. One thing I really admired about them is they really did not care what others thought. They were just them being them. And I just thought that was beautiful," Ania Sokoloski said. 

"These kids, their lives are just getting started. They haven't even begun to live, really. And it's beyond horrific," Roxanne Russo said. 

"It is really, like, one of the saddest things. My heart goes out to both families," a Cranford resident said.

Friends and family took to Burnside Avenue Tuesday night to remember Niotis and Salas. 

"It hits, like, hard when it's so close to home, and it's like people you would see around in school," said Nicole Janucik. 

Friends described Salas as full of life and someone who had a beautiful voice. 

"She was just a joy to have around. She was an amazing singer. I used to do choir with her," Leah Davitt said. 

They described Niotis as fun and kind, and said her twin brother is devastated. 

"I hugged him last night and I said, 'There's no words I can say to make this any easier for you,'" Mary Campbell said. 

The families of the two girls who were killed have come to visit the memorial multiple times. They're heartbroken, but they were clearly moved by the outpouring of support from the community.

A wake for Niotis will be held Thursday evening at Saint Demetrius Church in Union.