story out of New Jersey. That's where two teenage girls killed in a hit and run and tonight
we're learning more about what may have happened here. Fox News' Arthur Chien is live on the scene
in Cranford. Arthur, what are you hearing tonight? Well, what we're hearing is an absolute sense of
devastation on this quiet block. It's a tight-knit community as described by us, certainly one that
did not expect to have their peace interrupted so violently. Let's show you the memorial that
has been building throughout today as people have been coming by and leaving their thoughts
and flowers. Now, initially, this was described as an e-bike incident, but that is not the case
According to residents, they say this is about a driver who allegedly mowed down a girl that he had
been stalking in the process, also killing another innocent girl along with him. Now
the victims are identified as 17-year-olds, according to people on the street where they
lived. The victim's family showing up here were also absolutely gutted, as were their friends
The two names on the makeshift memorial are that of Maria and Isabella
Now, posting to social media, the mayor of this town confirming that the girls are or were currently students of Cranford High School
They were riding their bikes down this quiet street after 5.30 yesterday afternoon when the driver behind the wheel of a black Jeep SUV hit them so hard that he killed both of them
The driver took off dragging one of the bikes underneath the car, which went a good distance down this road and may have ended up disabling the car
That's where the driver was arrested. Then came word from those who knew the victims that this was no normal hit and run telling us the driver is also 17 and has in their words been quote stalking one of the victims for months
He's been parked out front of her house. Online. Online, in school. Following her. Yeah. It was
the school was notified. The police were notified, like, for three months now
And nothing happened? No. He was never stopped? No. And I had only seen one girl
And then I walked down the street a little bit and I saw the other girl and just horrible, horrible
Nothing in the world is more horrible than what I saw yesterday
I have kids, you know, and so no family should have to go through this
It's just horrible. I'm a mother of five, so this is not, we don't want to bury our children
Our children are to bury us. So we're here to support them no matter what
And I want them to know that we are condolences to all three families, not just two, but his parents, too, are going through a lot
Now, it is the Union County Prosecutor's Office that is handling this entire case right now
Almost 24 hours later, they have not released the name of the driver
Now, friends of the family tell us that the driver is related to the police chief in a neighboring town
We have yet to be able to confirm that through the prosecutor's office. We're waiting to hear back from them
Meanwhile, a vigil is planned out here for 7 p.m. tonight. That's the latest from Cranford, New Jersey
Arthur Cheehan, Fox 5 News. Natasha, Bianca, back to you guys. Yeah, such a tragedy there, Arthur
Thanks so much