Vince Zampella, the co-creator of the Call of Duty video game franchise, died in a single-car crash on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m. Pacific time. The crash involved a red 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, which veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed in flames.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at a hospital, while Zampella, who was the driver, remained trapped inside and was pronounced dead at the scene. The CHP stated that the cause of the crash was unknown, and it remains unclear whether drugs or alcohol were factors.
Zampella, who was 55 years old, was the head of Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind games such as Apex Legends, Titanfall, and the Star Wars Jedi series. Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment, confirmed his death and described it as an “unimaginable loss,” expressing condolences to his family and loved ones. The incident was first reported by NBC Los Angeles and subsequently covered by multiple news outlets, including the BBC, Al Jazeera, and USA TODAY.
