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Credit: Martin Lewison, FlickrUniversal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, opened to widespread attention in late May. Just months later, the resort faced a complex legal and regulatory process following the death of a guest who boarded one of the park’s major attractions. The incident prompted investigations at both the state and local levels, along with mounting legal scrutiny that took months to resolve.
On September 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala boarded Stardust Racers, a signature roller coaster at Epic Universe. The attraction features a dual-launch system, reaches a height of 133 feet, and exceeds speeds of 60 miles per hour. According to authorities, Zavala lost consciousness during the ride. Emergency personnel responded when the coaster returned to the station, and he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The medical examiner determined that Zavala died from multiple blunt impact injuries sustained after he blacked out while on the attraction. His girlfriend later shared that Zavala had previously suffered a spinal injury and was taking medication at the time of their visit. At the time, officials did not confirm whether those factors contributed to his death.
In the days following the incident, Universal Orlando President and COO Karen Irwin addressed employees, stating that Stardust Racers was operating “as intended” at the time. Like many high-speed attractions, the ride displays posted warnings advising guests with back, neck, or other medical conditions to refrain from riding.
Despite those warnings, the authorities handled the case as a serious matter. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has opened an investigation into the attraction. At the same time, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office launched a manslaughter investigation, which is standard procedure for deaths deemed non-natural. Detectives worked to determine whether negligence or other contributing factors were involved.
Zavala’s family retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who publicly called for Universal to provide ride data, maintenance records, inspection reports, and any available video footage connected to the incident. “A man died after boarding a ride that should have been safe. We will hold all responsible parties to account … We will demand full transparency,” Crump said in a statement.
Crump is known for representing the family of Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old who died in 2022 after falling from the Orlando FreeFall tower ride. In this case, Crump has also pointed to a previous out-of-court settlement involving Stardust Racers and another guest who reported injuries. During a press conference held on Tuesday, September 30, Crump questioned how Universal responded to those earlier claims.
“We believe that these were warning signs that there was something wrong with the design of this ride and that they tried to blame the victims,” Crump said via Click Orlando. He also referenced the prior guest’s account, stating, “She told them that you all need to do something about this because someone is going to be seriously injured, or worse, they’re going to be killed.”
According to Crump, the guest believed employees were already aware of issues with the coaster, raising questions about what actions, if any, were taken before Zavala’s death.
Universal stated it will cooperate fully with all investigations, and late last week, the final report was issued for the incident.
Details from the investigation include a sworn statement from Zavala’s girlfriend, which provides a personal perspective on the events surrounding the ride. She told investigators that in the moments before Stardust Racers dispatched, a Universal team member “pushed down on [his] restraint multiple times.”
According to her account, once the ride launched, her memory became fragmented. She recalled only brief moments during the attraction, including seeing Zavala strike his head several times while the coaster was in motion.
“…a medical examiner’s report released Friday showed that the left side of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s forehead had a deep gash, and the bony ridge above his eye was fractured,” CNN reported last week. “He had bleeding above his skull, bruises on his abdomen and arms, and his nose and right thigh bone were fractured, the medical examiner’s report said.”
Deputies later noted the emotional state she was in when they followed up with her after the incident. Their report described her as “crying and suffering panic attacks,” and stated that she was unable to complete her written statement due to her distress.
As authorities continued their review, the investigation reached its formal conclusion. Reports released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner determined that Rodriguez Zavala’s death was accidental. The Medical Examiner confirmed that he suffered “multiple blunt impact injuries,” findings that led investigators to rule out any criminal acts connected to the incident. According to statements obtained by WESH 2 News, the case has now been officially closed.
The conclusion brings clarity to the legal and criminal aspects of the tragedy, marking the end of law enforcement involvement. However, for many within the theme park community, the findings prompt broader reflection. Conversations are now shifting beyond the question of criminal responsibility to consider ride design, restraint systems, health warnings, and how guest safety is communicated and enforced on high-thrill attractions.
Following this conclusion, Universal has officially spoken out on the matter and its resolution. A Universal spokesperson said (via Click Orlando), “This matter has been amicably resolved. The family has asked for privacy at this time.” Similarly, on December 13, Ben Crump Law also posted the following statement:
“The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala and Universal have reached an amicable resolution in this matter. The terms are confidential. The family is grateful for the community’s support and asks for privacy at this time.”
For fans and frequent visitors of large-scale theme parks, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding ride restrictions and personal health considerations. While the official ruling resolves the investigation, the discussion surrounding guest safety and operational standards at major destinations is likely to continue well beyond the closure of this case.
As the inquiry comes to a close, discussions regarding attraction warnings, guest health considerations, and operator responsibility continue.