It’s Sunday World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victimsand people from across the country gathered to honor the lives lost.
Families of crash victims in Philadelphia gathered in Carroll Park to reflect on the disaster consequences of traffic violence in the city.
“It’s tragic. It’s heartbreaking. It’s painful,” said Nereda Jones-Pugh, the mother of Nyier “Nas” Cunningham who died in a collision in 2022.
Mario D’Adamo’s parents were also present. D’Adamo was hit and killed while riding his bicycle at FDR Park in August 2023.
‘The impact of the loss of a son. He’s here. A second later you expect him to walk through the door and he’s not there. It’s a trauma.’ Mario D’Adamo, who shares the same name with his son.
“It’s terrible, terrible. It’s a terrible feeling to live like this,” said Paula D’Adamo.
There have been 116 traffic fatalities in Philadelphia so far this year, which is why many have continued to push local and state leaders to do more to make the roads safer.
Recently passed bills in Philly that add even more speed cameras at intersections and making it illegal to stop on cycle paths are both solutions with some potential, but proponents believe more needs to be done.
“We will continue to demand that our leaders in Harrisburg and City Hall prioritize safety, because everyone deserves to get to their destination safely,” said Chris Gale of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
And families of accident victims like the D’Adamos also vow to never stop fighting to save lives.
“Their lives mattered. It doesn’t matter who. How they were killed. Their lives mattered,” said Paula D’Adamo.
“There must be stricter penalties, so these days of remembrance make a difference,” said Mario D’Adamo.
