Vince Zampella, 'Call of Duty' Co-Creator, Dies at 55 in Car Crash

Vince Zampella, a prominent figure in the video game industry and co-creator of the 'Call of Duty' franchise, died on Sunday at the age of 55 following a car crash on Southern California's Angeles Crest Highway.

The California Highway Patrol reported that the single-car accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. The vehicle, a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS, veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. Zampella, who was driving, was trapped in the burning car and pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger was ejected from the vehicle and later died at a hospital.

Zampella co-founded Infinity Ward, the studio behind the successful 'Call of Duty' series, and later established Respawn Entertainment in 2010. Respawn, acquired by Electronic Arts in 2017, is known for titles such as 'Titanfall,' 'Apex Legends,' and 'Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.'

Electronic Arts released a statement acknowledging Zampella's significant impact on the gaming industry, describing him as a "friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator" whose work "helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world."

The cause of the crash is under investigation, and further details have not been released.