Wayne Music Producer Dies After Freak Tire Accident

WAYNE, NJ – A 53-year-old man struck by a blown tire while riding his bike in Wayne earlier this month died due to his injuries.

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, Ruth Cleary, a family friend, said DeSalvo succumbed to his injuries.

“Tonight, surrounded by his father Jack Sr., brother Jack Jr., and holding the hand of Cat, his loving wife of 20 years, James John DeSalvo departed this life and reunited with his beloved mother Kathleen in that special place he liked to call ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,'" Cleary said.

Following the accident, DeSalvo’s friends launched a GoFundMe to raise money for his recovery and his family. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $51,000 has been donated.

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.