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Who was Esteban Chavez Jr? Scorching heat may have killed UPS driver, 24, who collapsed in delivery truck

The 24-year-old was discovered unconscious inside his delivery vehicle, which was parked next to a residence where he had just delivered a product

A 24-year-old UPS driver passed away from heat stroke inside his vehicle while he was out making deliveries. Esteban Chavez Jr, a four-year UPS employee, passed away recently on a scorching Saturday, June 25 in Southern California.

After dropping off a box, the delivery man collapsed off his seat and was discovered unconscious inside the truck, according to authorities. According to KTLA local television sources, Esteban Chavez Jr was found approximately 20 minutes later. “He collapsed off his seat in the truck,” the man’s father, Esteban Chavez Sr, told KTLA. “By the time anyone realized it, which was the owner of the house where he delivered the package to, and that was about 20 minutes after my son already collapsed,” he continued. “By time first responders showed up, obviously it was a little too late."

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A GoFundMe page has been created to cover the cost of his funeral and other expenditures. According to the family's GoFundMe page, the father believed that the heat was to blame for the death of "lil Stevie." He attributes the death to the high temperatures that day - it was over 90 degrees - even though the coroner has not yet disclosed the official cause of death. “Everyone knows, it is pretty hot out there, those trucks are a hot box,” Chavez told the local news station. "They have all these guys running around, delivering packages and trying to meet their quotas and do their jobs.”

The medical examiner and municipal officials are still looking into the tragedy. Chavez Jr had just celebrated his 24th birthday the day before tragically passing away. He had been absent from work due to a shoulder ailment, but returned on Saturday, according to KTLA. Following Chavez Jr's passing, UPS released a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our driver Esteban Chavez, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the statement said, according to KTLA. “We are cooperating with the investigating authorities and are respectfully deferring questions about this incident to them.” According to reports, Chavez Jr began working for UPS four years ago.

His friends and family posted condolences for their late friend. One of them wrote on Twitter, "My heart is heavy for Esteban Chavez Jr and his family upon his death while working @UPS. The heat is no joke snd dehydration. R.I.P. fellow brother." Another said, "Esteban Chavez Jr. of Downey was delivering packages in the Pasadena area last Saturday when he collapsed. The family believes he may have died from heat stroke. This climate change heat is not regular. PLEASE STAY HYDRATED. Take cover if overheated." " I’m so sorry. We have got to do better. Esteban Chavez Jr. deserved better," someone added.