Vince Zampella was a video game developer whose work had a “profound and far-reaching” impact on the industry. Fans of the Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises are mourning after he died in a single-vehicle crash on the Sunday before Christmas.

Zampella, 55, and an unnamed passenger were traveling in a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS along Angeles Crest Highway in the Los Angeles area.

Crash occurred on winding mountain highway

Authorities say the mid-engine supercar exited a tunnel and veered out of its lane. It struck a concrete barrier along the highway.

The passenger was ejected from the vehicle and later died at a hospital. Zampella became trapped inside the burning car and died at the scene.

Washington Post video game critic Gene Park said of Zampella’s career, “He really knew how to create stories and create experiences that really hit at the heart of the human experience, whether it’s terror, dread, heroism.”

EA Games said in a statement, “This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work.”