Parents of Isabella Salas Break Silence as NJ Waits on Case

Salas family speaks publicly for first time since daughter's tragic death, as prosecutors weigh charging teen driver as adult.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In a heartfelt interview, the parents of 17-year-old Isabella Salas opened up about their grief over losing their daughter, who was killed along with her best friend Maria Niotis when a speeding 17-year-old driver rear-ended them on their eBike. The Salas family has remained silent until now, as the Union County Prosecutor's Office decides whether to upgrade the teen driver's charges to adult court.

Why it matters

This case has sparked outrage in the community, with the Niotis family publicly pressuring prosecutors to charge the teen driver as an adult due to concerns over potential preferential treatment because of his family's law enforcement connections. The Salas family's decision to break their silence adds further emotional weight to the case and the community's demand for justice.

The details

On September 29, 2025, Isabella Salas, 17, and her best friend Maria Niotis were riding an eBike on Burnside Avenue when they were rear-ended by a Jeep Compass driven by a 17-year-old from Garwood at 70 mph. The teen driver, an online game streamer apparently influenced by right-wing and misogynistic content, was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder as a juvenile. The Niotis family has pushed for the charges to be upgraded to adult court, fearing the teen may receive preferential treatment due to his father's past as a police officer in Chatham Borough and his uncle's current role as police chief in Westfield.

  • On September 29, 2025, Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis were killed in the collision.
  • The 17-year-old driver was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder as a juvenile.

The players

Isabella Salas

A 17-year-old girl who was killed in the collision with her best friend Maria Niotis.

Maria Niotis

Isabella Salas' 17-year-old best friend who was also killed in the collision.

17-year-old driver

The teen driver of the Jeep Compass that rear-ended Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis at 70 mph, initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder as a juvenile.

William Daniel

The Union County Prosecutor who is deciding whether to upgrade the charges against the 17-year-old driver to adult court.

Brent Bramnick

The attorney representing the Niotis family, who is pushing for the charges to be upgraded to adult court.

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What they’re saying

“She was always galavanting around and singing and dancing. We miss that in the house. The house is so quiet. We'd yell at her at 10 o'clock at night, 'go to bed!' What I would do to hear that.”

— Mary Salas, Isabella Salas' mother (News 12)

“Until a decision is made, Bramnick said the case is remains in Family Court and all related proceedings are shielded from the public.”

— Brent Bramnick, Attorney representing the Niotis family (New Jersey 101.5)

What’s next

The Union County Prosecutor's Office is expected to decide soon whether to upgrade the charges against the 17-year-old driver to adult court.

The takeaway

This tragic case has shaken the community and raised concerns about potential preferential treatment for the teen driver due to his family's law enforcement connections. The Salas family's decision to break their silence underscores the immense grief and demand for justice, as the public awaits the prosecutor's decision on whether to try the case in adult court.