LA HABRA HEIGHTS — Authorities have identified a man found dead in a truck on Vista Road from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound as the president of the Don Steves Autoplex in La Habra.
Donald Thomas Steves, Jr., 70, of La Habra, was pronounced dead shorty after his body was discovered about 5 p.m. Thursday inside a Chevrolet pickup truck parked in the 2300 block of Vista Road in La Habra Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s and sheriff’s officials.
A passerby noticed a truck that hadn’t moved in about an hour, went for a closer look and found the body, sheriff’s Sgt. Dwight Miley said.
An autopsy had not been carried out Friday, coroner’s Chief of Operations Craig Harvey said. It was expected to be performed Saturday at the earliest.
Steves was the president of the Don Steves Autoplex in La Habra, previously known as Don Steves Chevrolet. The family business was started by his father six decades ago.
A representative at the business did not wish to comment Friday.
I am extremely saddened by this news. Tom was an unforgettable pillar of the La Habra community and recognizable by all. Though I haven’t known him for as long as many others, I have always thought of him as a good man, a generous philanthropist always willing to help, and a man that I felt privileged to share a cigar with. He will be sorely missed. I wish to extend my most sincere sympathies to his family and friends.