The circumstances surrounding the tragic incident have yet to be determined, with the California Highway Patrol actively conducting an investigation into the cause.
Distinguished video game visionary Vince Zampella has reportedly passed away following a devastating car accident in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California, according to reports from NBC4 Investigates.
The fatal collision occurred on December 21 at approximately 12:45 p.m. along the Angeles Crest Highway, north of Los Angeles. A southbound vehicle veered off the road and struck a concrete barrier, causing the passenger to be ejected from the cabin. The driver remained trapped inside the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. Authorities confirmed that both individuals perished; the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the passenger succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
At 55, Zampella was regarded as one of the most transformative figures in the interactive entertainment industry. As the co-founder and head of Respawn Entertainment, established in 2010, he oversaw the creation of landmark titles including Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. His leadership eventually led to the studio’s high-profile acquisition by Electronic Arts in 2017.
Before his tenure at Respawn, Zampella spearheaded Infinity Ward, where he co-created the Call of Duty franchise alongside Jason West—a series that would become one of the most successful commercial properties in media history. Most recently, he had also taken the helm of EA’s Playa Vista-based team to guide the future of the Battlefield series.
Source: iXBT.games