‘Call of Duty’ Founder Vince Zampella Killed in Horrific SoCal Car Crash Caught on Video

Video game developer and ‘Call of Duty’ creator Vince Zampella, 55, was killed in a horrific car crash in Southern California on Sunday.

Video posted to social media shows Zampella speeding out of a tunnel in his Ferrari in the San Gabriel Mountains before crashing into a concrete barrier.

The Ferrari burst into flames as onlookers screamed in horror.

Several witnesses ran across the windy mountain road and dragged the ejected passenger away from the fiery wreckage.

Zampella died at the crash site. The unidentified passenger died later at the hospital.

NBC Los Angeles reported:

Video game developer Vince Zampella, whose studios have created several of the world’s best-selling games, was killed Sunday afternoon in a Ferrari crash on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway, NBC4 Investigates has learned.

Zampella, an acclaimed figure in the video game industry, is the head of Respawn Entertainment. The prolific designer is the former CEO of video game developers Infinity Ward, the studio behind the successful “Call of Duty” franchise.

The single-car crash was reported at about 12:45 p.m. on the scenic road north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains. The southbound Ferrari veered off the road just after exiting a tunnel, hit a concrete barrier and a passenger was ejected, the California Highway Patrol said.

The driver, Zampella, was trapped in the ensuing car fire, the CHP said. He died at the scene and the passenger died at a hospital, authorities told NBC4 Investigates. Details about the passenger’s identity were not immediately available.

Details about what led to the crash off the winding forest road overlooking Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley also were not immediately available. A witness provided video of the crash involving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS to authorities that shows the red car slamming into the barrier just after exiting the tunnel.

Respawn released a statement on Vince Zampella’s untimely death:

We’re heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella.

Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series and Battlefield for our community in ways that will be felt for generations.

His impact reached far beyond any one game or studio. We will remember Vince for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Respawn & Battlefield. Most importantly, he championed what he believed was right for the people behind those studios and our players because it mattered.

We will miss him greatly.

Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all who love him.

We're heartbroken by the passing of our founder and dear friend Vince Zampella.

Vince was a titan and legend of this industry, a visionary leader and a force who shaped teams and games like Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, the Star Wars Jedi series and Battlefield for our… pic.twitter.com/L51gG9tbRo

— Respawn (@Respawn) December 22, 2025

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