LA JOLLA (CBS 8) – David C. Copley, the prominent San Diego publishing heir and philanthropist, died Tuesday night after suffering an apparent heart attack and crashing his Aston Martin on a La Jolla Street.
The crash happened around 6:15 p.m. at the intersection of Eads Avenue and Silverado Street. Two other cars were also involved.
Paramedics performed CPR on Copley in the street before transporting him to Scripps Hospital in an ambulance.
Copley had a history of heart trouble, and had a heart transplant in 2005. According to police scanner communications, a medical condition may have contributed to the crash.
On Tuesday night, a close family friend, Dr. Robert Singer, told the media outside the hospital that Copley left a board meeting hours before the accident because he was not feeling well. Singer said it appears that Copley suffered a heart attack behind the wheel.
"He was unresponsive," Dr. Singer said. "(Paramedics) administered CPR, but he was never responsive."
Copley was rushed to Scripps La Jolla, but doctors were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead at about 8pm.
Copley was the heir of the family-owned Copley Press newspaper publishing chain, which owned the San Diego Union-Tribune until 2009. He also served as the Union-Tribune's publisher.
Copley was also named in Forbes Magazine's 2005 list of the 400 richest Americans.
"He was the kindest and most gentle friend anyone could wish for," Singer told reporters. "His generosity, sense of humor and joy in life will be greatly missed."
The two other drivers involved in the crash were not hurt.
