Who was Vince Zampella? Co-creator of ‘Call of Duty’, dies at 55 in California car crash

The incident took place around 12:45 pm Sunday on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles.

Video game creator Vince Zampella dead killed car crash

Video game creator Vince Zampella was best known for his immensely popular 'Call of Duty' franchise. (Source: @Battlefield/X)

Vince Zampella, the acclaimed video game creator best known for the blockbuster ‘Call of Duty’ franchise, has reportedly died in a car accident. He was 55, according to a report the BBC.

The incident took place around 12:45 pm Sunday on Southern California’s Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles. Officers from the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) Altadena Area Office responded to the scene.

In a statement quoted by Deadline, CHP said, “For unknown reasons, the vehicle veered off the roadway, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed. The passenger was ejected from the vehicle, and the driver remained trapped. Both parties succumbed to their injuries. It is currently unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.”

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According to reports, Zampella was driving a Ferrari southbound along the highway when the accident happened. He died at the scene, while another passenger was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Who was Vince Zampella?

Vince Zampella, who co-founded Infinity Ward and Respawn Entertainment alongside Jason West, played a pivotal role in shaping the Call of Duty series, one of the most successful franchises in gaming history.
The duo later launched Respawn Entertainment, where Zampella helped develop acclaimed titles such as Titanfall and Apex Legends, before departing the company in 2013.
He later led the Electronic Arts team behind the Battlefield series.
In an emotional post, Respawn Entertainment honored Zampella’s legacy, writing, “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.”

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Purported accident video surfaces

The creator of Call of Duty and Battlefield 6 was killed in a car crash

Vince Zampella lost control of his Ferrari as it exited a tunnel, crashed into a barrier, and caught fire.

Zampella was driving and died at the scene. The passenger was thrown from the car by the impact and… pic.twitter.com/k87Mz0XrDe

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 23, 2025

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Meanwhile, TMZ reported that footage from the crash shows a red Ferrari speeding out of a tunnel before skidding and colliding with concrete barriers. Two people were inside the vehicle when it crashed.

Zampella’s passing marks a profound loss for the global gaming community, where his influence will continue to be felt for generations.

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