Memorial bench dedicated to Cranford teens killed in hit-and-run
The seating area was donated by the Cranford High School PTSA and unveiled Monday evening during a heartfelt ceremony attended by family and friends.
A new bench at Cafe Teasia in Cranford now serves as a lasting tribute to Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis, two Cranford girls who were killed in a hit-and-run crash last year.
The seating area was donated by the Cranford High School PTSA and unveiled Monday evening during a heartfelt ceremony attended by family and friends.
For the families of Isabella and Maria, the location holds special meaning. The girls were frequent visitors to Cafe Teasia, where they enjoyed boba tea and spent time with friends.
“Both the girls grew up here, and this is where they belonged,” said Mary Salas, Isabella’s mother. “Other kids being able to come in and remember our girls is the most important thing for us.”
The idea for the memorial bench came from former Cranford High School PTSA President Kathleen Bruns Meyers, who said she was inspired while attending a community memorial service for the girls last October.
“I feel like the girls whispered in my heart that that would be an awesome thing to do,” said Meyers.
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Dozens of supporters packed the cafe for the dedication, many wearing shirts bearing the message “Justice for Bella and Maria.”
The gathering was filled with hugs, tears and shared memories as loved ones reflected on the impact the two teens had on the community.
“It just means a lot to us that the community came together to do this for us,” said Edwin Salas, Isabella’s father. “We greatly appreciate the community of Cranford.”
Organizers hope the bench will ensure Isabella and Maria are remembered for years to come.
“I don’t think the town will ever forget what happened with Isabella and Maria,” Meyers said. "At some point, the generations will go where it's not at the top of the news anymore, but this is the last memory for the girls for years to come."
Isabella Salas and Maria Niotis were fatally struck by a vehicle on Sept. 29, 2025. Eighteen-year-old Vincent Battiloro, of Garwood, has been charged with murder in connection with the teens' deaths. Battiloro was 17 at the time of the incident. He has since been charged as an adult.
