Driver killed after slamming into tree in early morning crash in Encino

ENCINO, CA – A Van Nuys man was killed in a violent, single-vehicle crash in the early morning hours on Saturday after his Tesla slammed into a tree at high speed, authorities said.

The driver, identified as 52-year-old Richard Mortiz, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident occurred on Victory Boulevard, just east of White Oak Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division. Investigators report that Mortiz was traveling westbound on Victory Boulevard at an “unsafe speed” when he lost control of the gray Tesla. The vehicle veered off the road and collided with a tree.

The force of the impact caused significant damage to the vehicle. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and Mortiz was the sole occupant of the car.

Traffic in the area was affected for several hours as police conducted their investigation and crews worked to clear the scene.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the specific speed at which the Tesla was traveling or other potential contributing factors to the crash. The investigation is ongoing.