A perilous section of a highway in Los Angeles has collapsed, not far from the tragic site where video game creator Vince Zampella lost his life in a fiery crash involving his Ferrari.
Recent aerial footage reveals alarming fissures on the snow-covered Angeles Crest Highway. The incident occurred on Tuesday.
After the collapse, the roadway near the Waterman Mountain ski lift was shut down in both directions between Cedar Springs and State Route 138. Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, has yet to assess the full extent of the damage.
Images from Caltrans show ongoing efforts to clear debris and restore access, but the situation looks quite chaotic, and there’s no estimated timeline for reopening.
Additional footage from the December 21 crash that claimed Zampella’s life has emerged online. It captures the distressing moment when his $500,000 Ferrari careened out of a tunnel, collided with a concrete barrier, and ignited into flames.
Initially, there were cheers from onlookers, but those quickly turned into frantic shouts as people rushed towards the wreckage. A passenger managed to escape just in time and was pulled away from danger, as seen in the video.
Authorities report that the 55-year-old gaming icon was trapped in his vehicle and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The passenger, who was ejected from the car, later died at the hospital.
Zampella’s passing has resonated throughout not only the gaming realm but beyond. His impact on the industry spans over two decades; he first gained recognition in 2002 as co-founder of Infinity Ward, which would go on to create the hugely successful “Call of Duty” franchise—a series that has become a cultural phenomenon.
The Angeles Crest Highway, situated in the San Gabriel Mountains, stretches for 106 miles and features sections that rise above 7,000 feet. It’s known for both its breathtaking views and its challenging conditions.
