Changes

==Death by bicycle crash==

==Death by bicycle crash==

Amoroso was killed at the age of sixty-one in a [[bicycle]] accident on Louisiana Highway 66 near the intersection with Highway 61 west of St. Francisville in West Feliciana to the north of Baton Rouge. He was in training for a cross-[[Texas]] race in August with his bicycling companion, Thomas Clement (born c. 1947), who was seriously injured in the mishap but physically survived. Nicholas Alexander (born May 5, 1997) of [[Lafayette]], driving a [[Chevy]] Tahoe, struck both cyclists from the rear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.klfy.com/news/local/mugshot-released-of-lafayette-man-accused-of-hitting-killing-ebr-councilman-buddy-amoroso/1279614228|title=Mugshot released of Lafayette man accused of hitting, killing EBR Councilman Buddy Amoroso|publisher=KLFY.com|date=July 2, 2018|accessdate=July 9, 2018}}</ref> Alexander paid a $17,500 bond and was released from the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center, where he had been held  for negligent homicide and negligent injury. A toxicology test was performed on the driver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_4facc7f0-7f0a-11e8-8c1f-7369c2593dcf.html|title=Funeral arrangements for Buddy Amoroso; Private services later in week; Public event to be determined|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 3, 2018|accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref>  

Amoroso was killed at the age of sixty-one in a [[bicycle]] accident on Louisiana Highway 66 near the intersection with Highway 61 west of St. Francisville in West Feliciana to the north of Baton Rouge. He was in training for a cross-[[Texas]] race in August with his bicycling companion, Thomas Clement (born c. 1947), who was seriously injured in the mishap but physically survived. Nicholas Alexander (born May 5, 1997) of [[Lafayette]], driving a [[Chevy]] Tahoe, struck both cyclists from the rear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.klfy.com/news/local/mugshot-released-of-lafayette-man-accused-of-hitting-killing-ebr-councilman-buddy-amoroso/1279614228|title=Mugshot released of Lafayette man accused of hitting, killing EBR Councilman Buddy Amoroso|publisher=KLFY.com|date=July 2, 2018|accessdate=July 9, 2018}}</ref> Alexander paid a $17,500 bond and was released from the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center, where he had been held  for negligent homicide and negligent injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_4facc7f0-7f0a-11e8-8c1f-7369c2593dcf.html|title=Funeral arrangements for Buddy Amoroso; Private services later in week; Public event to be determined|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 3, 2018|accessdate=July 5, 2018}}</ref>  

In January 2019, Alexander was sentenced to ninety days in jail upon conviction of reckless operation of a vehicle, a much less serious offense than his earlier arrest for negligent homicide. Amoroso's widow, the former Denise Waters (born August 24, 1957), called the sentencing "perversion of justice." Alexander served only twelve days in jail because of credit for time already served.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/article_7fc00fd2-14f2-11e9-9789-1315a72f3869.html

In January 2019, Alexander was fined $200 and sentenced to ninety days in jail upon conviction of reckless operation of a vehicle, a much less serious offense than his earlier arrest for negligent homicide. Amoroso's widow, the former Denise Waters (born August 24, 1957), called the sentencing a "perversion of justice." Alexander was jailed for only twelve days because of credit for time already served.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/crime_police/article_7fc00fd2-14f2-11e9-9789-1315a72f3869.html

|title=Buddy Amoroso's widow calls driver's 12-day jail sentence for fatal crash a 'perversion of justice'|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=January 10, 2019|author=Grace Toohey and Lea Skene|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>  

|title=Buddy Amoroso's widow calls driver's 12-day jail sentence for fatal crash a 'perversion of justice'|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=January 10, 2019|author=Grace Toohey and Lea Skene|accessdate=December 12, 2019}}</ref>  

Amoroso and his wife of thirty-seven years have a son, Anthony, V (born March 20, 1993), and two daughters, Elaine Abigail Swart (born May 17, 1985) (husband Thaddeaus) and Michal Ann Traina (born June 22, 1987) (husband Joshua), and five grandchldren. Private services were held on July 6, 2018, at Christ [[Presbyterian]] Church, of which Amoroso was a member and [[deacon]].<ref name=obit/> More than a thousand persons, including Thomas Clement in a wheelchair, attended his wake. Many spoke of Amoroso's keen sense of humor and dedication to purpose. Speakers acknowledged how Amoroso used his personal charm to remain friendly with people regardless of their backgrounds or political views. Many cited him as a rare example of a political leader who refused to make arguments personal and who tried to emphasize that he had a life outside of being an elected official. Mike Walker, Amoroso's predecessor on the Metro council, said that he spoke with Amoroso every week until the tragic accident. "I didn't get to talk with him this week except in my prayers," Walker said.<ref name=wake>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_9eaebb04-806f-11e8-aa31-57fa1aad4b24.html|title=More than 1,000 honor Buddy Amoroso at wake with tales of his pranks, kindness|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 5, 2018|author=Andrea Gallo|accessdate=July 6, 2018}}</ref>

Buddy and Denise Amoroso, his wife of thirty-seven years, have a son, Anthony, V (born March 20, 1993), and two daughters, Elaine Abigail Swart (born May 17, 1985) (husband Thaddeaus) and Michal Ann Traina (born June 22, 1987) (husband Joshua), and five grandchldren. Private services were held on July 6, 2018, at Christ [[Presbyterian]] Church, of which Amoroso was a member and [[deacon]].<ref name=obit/> More than a thousand persons, including Thomas Clement in a wheelchair, attended his wake. Many spoke of Amoroso's keen sense of humor and dedication to purpose. Speakers acknowledged how Amoroso used his personal charm to remain friendly with people regardless of their backgrounds or political views. Many cited him as a rare example of a political leader who refused to make arguments personal and who tried to emphasize that he had a life outside of being an elected official. Mike Walker, Amoroso's predecessor on the Metro council, said that he spoke with Amoroso every week until the tragic accident. "I didn't get to talk with him this week except in my prayers," Walker said.<ref name=wake>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_9eaebb04-806f-11e8-aa31-57fa1aad4b24.html|title=More than 1,000 honor Buddy Amoroso at wake with tales of his pranks, kindness|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 5, 2018|author=Andrea Gallo|accessdate=July 6, 2018}}</ref>

The Christ Presbyterian pastor, the Reverend Galen Lex Sorey (born November 23, 1949), called Amoroso "a phenomenal public servant. But above all else, he was a servant of God ... when Buddy drew his last breath out there on Highway 66, immediately, he was in the presence of the Lord.” Sorey termed Amoroso's death a triumph because death does not have the final word and that Amoroso is now nestled in the hands of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]. Belief in the resurrection, said Sorey, is the only comfort in losing Amoroso. The pastor beckoned the small crowd at the graveside service to respond when he yelled, “Alleluia, Christ is risen.” Amoroso is interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_8d6319ac-7fd5-11e8-bb45-578ca7ab3290.html|title=Pastor at Buddy Amoroso's funeral service: 'Above all else, he was a servant of God'|author=Andrea Gallo|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 6, 2018|accessdate=July 7, 2018}}</ref>

The Christ Presbyterian pastor, the Reverend Galen Lex Sorey (born November 23, 1949), called Amoroso "a phenomenal public servant. But above all else, he was a servant of God ... when Buddy drew his last breath out there on Highway 66, immediately, he was in the presence of the Lord.” Sorey termed Amoroso's death a triumph because death does not have the final word and that Amoroso is now nestled in the hands of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]. Belief in the resurrection, said Sorey, is the only comfort in losing Amoroso. The pastor beckoned the small crowd at the graveside service to respond when he yelled, “Alleluia, Christ is risen.” Amoroso is interred at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Baton Rouge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_8d6319ac-7fd5-11e8-bb45-578ca7ab3290.html|title=Pastor at Buddy Amoroso's funeral service: 'Above all else, he was a servant of God'|author=Andrea Gallo|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=July 6, 2018|accessdate=July 7, 2018}}</ref>