Death at Universal’s Epic Universe prompts new details and calls for transparency
Family asks for maintenance records and footage as Universal conducts safety review after a man who used a wheelchair died on Stardust Racers
New details emerged Friday about the death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man who became unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers attraction at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Orlando. A medical examiner ruled the death an accidental blunt-force injury, according to records reviewed by reporters. Zavala had a pre-existing spinal injury and used a wheelchair when he boarded the roller coaster on Wednesday, according to an incident report obtained by WFTV-9. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Zavala's family has retained civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, who said Zavala suffered multiple blunt-force injuries on the ride. A GoFundMe page set up for funeral costs has surpassed its initial goal, underscoring the community’s interest in supporting Zavala’s relatives. The family is also urging Universal Orlando to release maintenance logs, inspection records, ride data and video footage to help investigators and the public understand how the incident occurred. Crump’s office said the firm would pursue “answers and justice” for Zavala’s loved ones as part of a broader call for accountability.
Universal Orlando President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin said the attraction was functioning normally and that all equipment was intact during the ride, according to an internal memo obtained by Deadline. The company also confirmed that Stardust Racers remains closed as Universal conducts a comprehensive safety review in cooperation with the ride’s manufacturer of record. Irwin emphasized that safety is, and will remain, at the forefront of everything Universal does as the investigation continues.
Crump’s firm issued a statement urging transparency, calling Zavala’s death a tragedy that demands a thorough, open investigation and accountability for those responsible. Zavala’s family described him in a GoFundMe post as “beloved brother, son, uncle, and friend” who faced life’s challenges with resilience and grace. The fundraiser’s text portrays him as someone who always helped others and inspired those around him, even as he faced his own obstacles.
The GoFundMe has raised more than $26,000 to help cover funeral costs and related expenses, well above the initial $8,000 goal. Universal Orlando did not respond to requests for comment from The Post at the time of publication
The Post’s coverage notes the park’s ongoing safety review and the broader questions surrounding Epic Universe’s development, though officials have provided few public details about the investigation’s timeline or findings. The incident marks a high-profile test of safety protocols for new attractions designed to accommodate guests transferring from wheelchairs to ride vehicles, a feature highlighted in Universal’s accessibility guidelines.
