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Joseph W. Maffia, 28, was riding a blue 2024 Yamaha YZ450F when he hit the crest of a hill and dropped ten feet into a sand embankment at ASARCO, or Heritage Minerals, in Manchester Township, ejecting him from the bike, just before noon on Saturday, March 15, Manchester police said.
Other dirt bike riders found Maffia unresponsive, face down in the sand, and started life-saving measures, according to police. He was wearing a DOT-approved helmet but suffered severe injuries and was rushed to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced dead. Police said unsafe operation of a dirt bike on private property was the primary cause of the crash.
As of Monday, March 17, more than $25,000 had been raised for Maffia's family on a GoFundMe launched by Matthew McNally.
"Those who knew Joey remember him as a beacon of kindness, a gentle soul whose generosity knew no bounds. He had a rare gift for making everyone feel special and loved," McNally writes.
"Joey's passion for motorsports was a testament to his adventurous spirit, and while we mourn his loss, we find a small comfort in knowing he left this world doing what he loved most. Let us honor his memory by surrounding his family with love and support."
Maffia's father wrote a particularly heartbreaking tribute: "Rest easy my son gone too early. You had your whole life ahead of you if[sic] I could just say I love you one more time. And that hug. Again. 💔💔💔💔."
Services have not yet been finalized.
Click here to donate to Maffia's family.
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