Family, community advocating for bike safety in FDR Park

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The family of a South Philadelphia man continues to advocate for change two years after their son was hit and killed by a drunk driver while biking through FDR Park.

Mario D'Adamo III had been biking through the park in August of 2023 when that driver hit him.

D'Adamo's last bike is now chained to a tree in the park he loved and his picture is on a chain around his mother's neck.

"He was my light. he is my light," said Paula D'Adamo, his mom. "It'll be two years August 4th that his life was taken while riding his bike in the park."

Hi family marked the occasion by having a new sign put up in FDR Park, both to honor their son and to serve a reminder about bike safety.

"He was 37 years old, worked hard as an attorney in the city of Philadelphia and in the blink of an eye, his life was taken," said Paula.

Police say the driver initially tried to get away, but is now facing homicide by vehicle charges.

"I mean, driving while drunk, driving impaired, driving distracted, it just keeps increasing," said Suzanne Hagner from Families for Safe Streets. "People are tired of it and people are demanding we want our streets to be safe for everyone."

Advocates say there are ways to make bike lanes safer throughout the city and in FDR Park. One, they need people to stop parking in these bike lanes and two, they want barriers that separate the bike lanes from the traffic on the road.

"It's something that as a mother, you never get over," said Paula.

While change won't bring Mario back, for his family, it's about making sure his legacy stays chained to helping others.

"To lose my son, my first born son, to something like this that wasn't necessary, it's hard," said Paula.