Ferrari Crash on Angeles Crest Kills Call of Duty Creator
Vince Zampella, a celebrated video game developer best known for co-creating the Call of Duty franchise, died Sunday, 21st December 2025, when the Ferrari 296 GTS he was driving crashed on Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles.
The red Ferrari reportedly veered off the winding two-lane roads just after exiting a tunnel, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. Zampella and a passenger both died; the passenger was ejected from the vehicle and later died at a hospital, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.
Who Was Vince Zampella
Zampella, 55, was a co-founder of Respawn Entertainment and Infinity Ward, and played a leading role in launching some of the most successful first-person shooters in gaming history, including Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Apex Legends. Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn, called his passing “an unimaginable loss” and praised his profound influence on interactive entertainment.
Accident and Vehicle Details
The crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on a stretch of Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains, a road known locally for sharp curves and high-speed incidents. The 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS involved in the collision is a high-performance hybrid sports car with more than 800 horsepower.
Authorities have not yet released details on whether speed, weather, or other factors contributed to the crash, and toxicology results are pending.
Industry Reaction and Legacy
Zampella’s work helped shape the shooting games genre and influenced an entire generation of developers and players. Call of Duty alone has sold more than half a billion copies worldwide since its 2003 debut. Tributes from studios, peers, and gaming communities have poured in following the news, with many noting his leadership in revitalizing series such as Battlefield under the EA umbrella.
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