Hedge fund exec’s A.C. death ruled accidental

The death of a 42-year-old man who fell from an escalator in Atlantic City over the weekend has been ruled accidental, officials said today.

James P. Vellanti, of Clinton, N.J., tumbled 30 to 40 feet from a position between the second and third levels at the Pier Shops at Caesars, landing on the first floor of the venue, police said. The Pier is a shopping and dining mall attached to the hotel and casino by a sky bridge.

The cause of death was listed as "multiple traumatic injuries due to the fall and the manner of death is accidental," according to a news release.

An autopsy was conducted by Dr. Hydow Park of the Atlantic County Medical Examiners Office.

Following the accident early Sunday morning, Vellanti was transported via ambulance to the trauma unit of the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival, officials said.

It was the second fatality involving an escalator at the upscale three-story mall in little over a year.

Vellanti is listed as the chief operating officer for JNF Asset Management, LLC, a hedge fund in New York.

A 1990 graduate of West Chester University, he previously worked for Koch Global Capital, U.S. Bank and Street Bank & Trust, and Wachovia Bank.

In August, 2008, Frank Gilbert, 25, of Galloway Township, plunged about 40 feet while sitting on the moving handrail of an escalator at the mall and died of head injuries.