FORMER U-T PUBLISHER DIES AFTER CAR CRASH (Sam Spital)

COMMENTARY BY PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY SAM SPITAL:

“The UT San Diego news reported David Copley, its former publisher and only 60 years old died in an auto accident near his home in La Jolla. The car crash happened about 6:15 p.m. when his Aston Martin vehicle smashed into a parked automobile. When the San Diego Police arrived at the scene, they had to break the driver’s window to extricate him out of the car. Even though he was not breathing, the officers performed CPR until the ambulance arrived to transport him to a local hospital. A close family friend and physician opined that Copley suffered a fatal and sudden heart attack while driving. In 2005, the former publisher reportedly had a heart transplant and his underlying heart problems ‘prevented a full resuscitation’ by emergency room physicians.

The current owner of the UT San Diego, Douglas Manchester, said ‘the entire San Diego community will miss him and the philanthropy that he and his family made possible for so many years.’ The billionaire and prominent Copley dynasty has for decades been known for publishing newspapers and its philanthropic contributions, including the downtown Museum of Arts, YMCA, local playhouses, animal shelters and their many anonymous donations.

Copley was one of the wealthiest and well known individuals in the San Diego community. He also won two Pulitzer Prizes. What a misfortune for someone in his very early senior years; he will clearly be remembered as a kind and giving person.”

https://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/nov/21/tp-former-u-t-publisher-dies-after-car-crash/