Young Owner Of Maplewood Bike Shop Dies In Motorcycle Crash

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Danny Ives, 27, the young and beloved owner of a new bike shop in Maplewood, is being mourned after passing away in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Friday night in South Orange.

Ives had opened the Maplewood Bike Shed on Springfield Avenue in March, and operated through the pandemic as an essential service.

Police found Ives at around approximately 11:40 p.m. Friday on the ground and unresponsive near his motorcycle on South Orange Avenue, reports said. He was located near Elm Court and the old main gate to Seton Hall University.

He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead after midnight.

Ives' parent, Martine Ives, posted on Sunday, "It is with deep sadness that I provide details of the services for my beloved son Daniel (Danny) who recently and tragically passed away due to a motorcycle accident. On Friday, Sept. 11, a public viewing/wake will be held at Preston Funeral home between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange. On Saturday, Sept. 12 a funeral mass will be held at the Church of our Lady of Sorrows beginning at 10 a.m. 217 Prospect Street, South Orange."

The elder Ives added, "Following the funeral mass, the immediate family will accompany Danny to Rosedale Cemetery for a final crematory farewell. Attendees are welcomed to proceed to my home for a gathering ... With everlasting love for my beautiful son, Martine Ives"

"Danny was special," wrote a commenter, "so very special. I'm so lucky to have been touched by him and his light. My sincerest sympathies to his family and to all those who knew and loved him."

"I didn’t know him well, but he helped our family with all of our rickety bikes and even fixed some parts that we were told could not be repaired," wrote another. "A huge loss to our community."

People with information about the accident can call the South Orange police Detective Bureau at 973-763-3000, x7788.

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