Vince Zampella, a distinguished video game developer renowned for his role in creating or leading some of the world’s most beloved franchises, tragically passed away in a car accident on a Los Angeles highway on Sunday, December 21, at 12:45 pm Pacific time. He was 55.
The California Highway Patrol reported that while traveling on Angeles Crest Highway, the vehicle carrying Zampella veered off course and collided with a concrete barrier. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
During the crash, a passenger was ejected from the vehicle, and the driver was trapped within after the car caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. It remains unclear from the report whether Zampella was driving or was the passenger.
Angeles Crest Highway, known for its scenic views under the San Gabriel Mountains at the eastern fringes of Los Angeles, is a favored route for Sunday leisure drives. The vehicle involved in the crash was identified as a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS.
A Storied Career in Game Development
Vince Zampella began his illustrious career in the game industry at SegaSoft and Panasonic. He garnered early acclaim as the lead designer for the influential World War II shooter Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, released in 2002. Zampella's pioneering work at the iconic studio Infinity Ward, a company he co-founded with Jason West and Grant Collier in 2002, elevated him to a celebrity status among gamers.