Summary
Former Treyarch co-founder Peter Tripp Akemann has pleaded guilty to hitting a firefighting plane with his drone amidst the relief efforts connected to the Los Angeles wildfires. The ongoing natural disaster has made international news with the destructive fires ravaging the Los Angeles area and several surrounding communities. The Palisades and Eaton fires are expected to stand as two ofthe most destructive wildfires in California history, with aid being brought in to quell the fires from as far away as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Now, a prominent figure in gaming has found themselves in hot water connected to the fires.
During his time in the gaming industry, Peter Tripp Akemann was a fundamental member of one of gaming’s most iconic developers. In 1996, Akemann helped to co-found Treyarch Invention LLC, the studio that would become a staple in gaming thanks to the overwhelming success of theCall of Dutyfranchise. Akemann would later go on to serve as president for VR game developer Skydance Interactive, most well-known for theWalking Dead: Saints & Sinnersgames. Now, however, Akemann could be facing serious repercussions for an illegal drone flight.
Treyarch Co-Founder Peter Akemann Pleads Guilty to Drone-Plane Crash
As reported by PCGamer, Peter Akemann has been identified as the drone pilot behind a collision with a firefighting plane. Akemann has been charged with one count of “unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft” in connection to the incident, with video of the courthouse corroborating the allegations. Akemann reportedly agreed to accept a guilty sentence as a result of the collision, reportedly signing a plea deal. The deal will see Akemann required to compensate the Quebec governement for thedamages to the firefighting planealongside performing 150 hours of community service. The effects of the fires ravaging Los Angeles have gone beyond the destructive damage, sidelining plenty of popular productions. PopularDungeons and DragonsseriesCritical Role took a brief hiatusduring January due to the fires, after host Matt Mercer and cast member Marisha Ray were forced to relocate. Critical Role would later support the relief effort for the fires as well, donating to the California Community Foundation and hosting a charity one-shot to benefit those affected by the fires.
Akemann’s blunder during the California wildfires comes as the relief effort has recently hit a major milestone. Recent reports have confirmed that the Palisades and Eaton fires have been fully contained as of February 1, putting an end to the most devastating fires in the disaster. The fires would see a major impact on the films industry with their close proximity to Hollywood, with everything from TV shows totrailers for movies likeDaredevil: Born Againbeing delayed. The containment of the California wildfires will hopefully pave the way for affected families to begin the recovery process.
