A 50-year-old Long Beach man found dead in an SUV on the side of the 605 Freeway in Hawaiian Gardens appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said today.

The death was under investigation as an apparent suicide, the coroner’s office said.

The discovery was made at 5:14 a.m. Friday on the northbound 605 just south of Carson Street, California Highway Patrol Officer Tony Polizzi said.

CHP spokesman Marcos Iñiguez said an officer pulled over to check on the status of the diver when he found him slumped over to the right with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The officer also located a firearm in the vehicle. He went in the car to secure the firearm and called for backup, Iñiguez said.

Driver with gunshot wound found dead on 605 Freeway, CHP says