Funeral Set For Wayne Man Who Died After Freak Tire Accident

WAYNE, NJ - Funeral arrangements have been announced for a 53-year-old man who died after being struck by a blown tire while riding his bike in Wayne earlier this month.

A wake for Jim DeSalvo will be held Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Moore’s Funeral Home, 1591 Alps Road, Wayne. On Monday a funeral service is planned for 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, according to Ruth Cleary, a family friend.

Jim DeSalvo spent the last two weeks fighting for his life after a wheel blew, detached from a dump truck and hit him while he was riding his bike on Black Oak Ridge Road on Sept. 12.

On Monday evening, Cleary said DeSalvo succumbed to his injuries.

Following the accident, DeSalvo's friends launched a GoFundMe to raise money for his recovery and his family. As of Saturday morning, more than $53,000 has been donated.

In an update on the fundraiser page, Cleary wrote, “Overnight the GoFundMe reached and continues to surpass its goal. The DeSalvos are blown away by this and all of your support and wish to say thank you from the bottom of their hearts. Life won’t ever be the same without the Bean around to jazz it up but he leaves behind a big legacy in the thousands of lives he touched, in his family’s hearts, and in the people whose lives he saved last night through the generous donation of his organs. A hero to the end."

DeSalvo was a music producer who has worked with artists such as Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Yes lead singer Jon Anderson. Cleary described him as "a true Jersey gentleman, accomplished musician and recording artist, and a devoted father to James and Rebecca and husband to Cat."

He was also "the kind of person who comes to your aid in a heartbeat, any time of the day or night, no hesitation," Cleary said.

The dump truck was fully loaded with asphalt when the tire blew out. No charges were filed against the driver, however authorities are still investigating what happened, Valdes said.

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office asked that anyone with information about the incident to call their tips line at 1-877-370-7276 or email tips@passaiccountynj.org.