1620 5th AvenueDavid Copley, the former owner and publisher of the San Diego Union-Tribune, died on October 20 in a San Diego car accident, according to the Los Angeles Times. Copley, 60, was found unconscious in his Aston Martin near his La Jolla home. Copley was rushed to Scripps Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The coroners ruled the cause of death as a heart attack. Shortly before the car accident, Copley had left a board meeting at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, telling colleagues he was feeling ill. Copley received a heart transplant in 2005.
Copley owned the San Diego Union-Tribune for eight decades, making significant contributions to the media and the culture in San Diego. The paper won a Pulitzer Prize in 2006 for its coverage and investigation of the corruption of Representative Randall “Duke” Cunningham. The paper always supported the academic community and higher education, including the establishment of UC San Diego. Editorials in the papers usually supported conservative and pro-business policies. Copley sold the paper in 2009.
“[He] had an enormous capacity for humor and an uncanny ability to understand the bigger picture,” said Karin Winner, UT editor. “I’m really glad that he had the past few years to live his life the way he wanted to. I know that it was very hard on him to let the paper be sold, but he thought it was what was best for the community and the employees at the time.”
Our sympathies go out to Copley’s family. It is sad that San Diego had to lose such a beloved member of its community.
Please visit our website for more information on car accidents, and contact our office for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been injured or killed.
Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego car accident lawyer.
1620 5th Avenue