Unassuming tire pitchman Sam Winston, who turned a family business into one of the largest independent tire companies in California, was killed in a car accident in western Utah. He was 54.
Winston died Tuesday after he was thrown from a 1995 Jeep Wrangler driven by his wife, Demetra, Utah Highway Patrol officials said Wednesday. The car left the road and rolled over west of Salt Lake City on I-80.Demetra Winston was treated for her injuries but was not hospitalized.
"Clearly everyone at Winston Tire Co. will miss Sam. He built the business on a dedication of providing customers with quality at affordable prices," said Tom Bonburg, Winston's president and chief executive officer.
"Those are qualities that we will continue to pursue in the business."
Winston Tire began as partnership in 1962 between Winston and his stepfather. Winston, whose face and folksy ways became a familiar image on television commercials, served as the company's chairman and chief executive officer from 1975 until last year when he became chairman of the board.