Small Tire Helps Cause Accident; Driver Killed

An undersized rear tire contributed to an Encino car accident in which a man died and a woman was injured, police said Saturday.

Nelson Ayala, 32, of Van Nuys died Friday when the car he was driving north on Victory Boulevard jumped the center divider near Balboa Boulevard and smashed into a light pole, said Los Angeles Police Officer Dennis Smith. Ayala died at the scene, Smith said.

Patricia Perez, 19, of North Hollywood was treated for minor injuries at Northridge Hospital Medical Center and released Friday, Smith said.

Witnesses said the car was going about 80 m.p.h. when it swerved, jumped the center divider and crashed into the pole, Dennis said. The car had an undersized left rear tire that is used as a spare, he said. At high speeds, such tires lose traction, he said.