Call of Duty Creator Vince Zampella Dies in Ferrari Crash: 'Not Okay' Says Devastated Friend Emelia Hartford
Vince Zampella, Call of Duty architect, died in a Dec. 21 LA car crash. Actor Emelia Hartford called him her “best friend” in an emotional tribute.
The video game community is in shock following the tragic death of Vince Zampella, the visionary behind Activision's Call of Duty series. Zampella, 61, died on Sunday, December 21, in a car accident on Los Angeles Crest Highway.
A close friend and actress Emelia Hartford has paid a heartfelt tribute to Zampella, describing him as her 'best friend.' She shared a poignant video of their cherished moments together and expressed her grief: 'A family lost their father, an industry lost a legend, and I lost my best friend... And before you ask, no, I’m not okay.'
The car accident occurred when Zampella's Ferrari veered off the road, struck a concrete barrier, and caught fire. He was trapped in the burning vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger was also ejected and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unclear. Electronic Arts, the parent company of Respawn Entertainment that Zampella co-founded, has paid tribute to the gaming legend, saying his influence on the industry was 'profound and far-reaching.'
