A tragic incident at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is now under both state and local investigation, with the park also facing mounting legal challenges.
On September 17, 32-year-old guest Kevin Rodriguez Zavala rode Stardust Racers, a dual-launch coaster that reaches a 133-foot summit and speeds over 60 miles per hour. He lost consciousness during the ride, and when the train returned to the station, emergency personnel responded. Zavala was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The medical examiner listed the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries suffered after he blacked out while on the ride.
Universal has stated that the attraction was operating properly during the incident. Stardust Racers was operating “as intended,” Universal Orlando President and COO Karen Irwin wrote in a message to staff. The ride’s safety signage, like that of other thrill attractions, advises against participation for guests with medical conditions, including back or neck issues. Zavala’s girlfriend has said he had a prior spinal injury and was taking medication, though investigators have not linked those factors to the incident yet.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched a probe, while the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a manslaughter investigation, standard protocol in non-natural deaths. Both agencies are examining whether negligence or other conditions played a role.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing Zavala’s family, is demanding Universal release maintenance records, video evidence, and inspection data. “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. His track record includes representing the family of Tyre Sampson, the teenager who died in 2022 after falling from Orlando FreeFall.
The case is not the first tied to Stardust Racers. Universal previously reached an out-of-court settlement with a guest who reported being injured on the ride. Speaking at a press conference on September 30, Crump cited the earlier complaint, arguing that it served as a warning that went unheeded. “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,” Crump said via Click Orlando.
While the coaster remains closed, Universal has pledged cooperation with investigators. A GoFundMe page has been launched to support Zavala’s family, as questions continue about the attraction’s safety and the responsibilities of theme park operators.
