Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Wayne Police Chief James Clarke announce that at approximately 1:32 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to the area of 309 Black Oak Ridge Road in the Township of Wayne in response to a motor vehicle accident involving a single vehicle and a bicyclist.
Upon their arrival, the officers determined that a 2007 Mack dump truck was heading south on Black Oak Ridge Road when one of its tires blew out and dismounted from the wheel of the vehicle.
Police say, Mr. Eugene Petitt, 68-years-old from Staten Island New York, was operating the dump truck which was fully loaded with asphalt at the time.
After the tire dismounted from the vehicle, it rolled southbound in the shoulder on Black Oak Ridge Road until it struck James DeSalvo, 53-years-old from Wayne, who was riding his bicycle at the time.
Mr. DeSalvo suffered serious injuries when he was struck by the tire, and he was transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson where he remains in critical condition.
No charges have been filed at this time, however, this investigation remains active and ongoing.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Wayne Police Department at 973-694-0600.