Los Angeles Crash Claims Life of Call of Duty Designer Vince Zampella
At 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS crashed into a concrete barrier and ignited on Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. The vehicle veered off exiting a tunnel and struck the barrier. Both occupants died, with the driver killed at the scene and the passenger later dying in a hospital; the passenger’s identity has not been released.
The driver was video‑game executive Vince Zampella, 55, who led Respawn Entertainment and served as CEO of Infinity Ward. He co‑founded Respawn in 2010, which EA acquired in 2017, known for games such as Titanfall, Apex Legends and STAR Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
A witness supplied video that shows the Ferrari colliding with the barrier shortly after exiting a tunnel. The 296 GTS, equipped with a hybrid twin‑turbo V‑6, can produce more than 800 horsepower. The loss of traction is suspected as the cause, though no official investigation details have been released.
Electronic Arts released a statement noting that Zampella’s influence was seen as profound and far‑reaching and expressed sympathy for his family. The statement emphasized his legacy in gaming.
Officials have not released details on the incident’s cause or the passenger’s identity, and the investigation remains ongoing.