Family of man who died on Universal rollercoaster breaks silence with heartbreaking message

The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando, has broken their silence on the tragedy, issuing a message to the theme park and the public. Zavala, who used a wheelchair because of a past spinal injury, suffered blunt-force trauma while on the ride and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the exact cause of death, and Universal Orlando Resort said it is cooperating with authorities while the attraction remains closed.

Karina Zavala, Zavala’s cousin, spoke to the Daily Mail about the ordeal, describing Kevin as someone who loved roller coasters despite his injury. “Kevin was someone who never let his limitations stop him from living life to the fullest,” she said, recalling that the family grew up riding coasters together and that those experiences were a big part of their childhood. She described Kevin as “wonderful, caring, and resilient,” adding that he didn’t deserve to die the way he did. “All of us cousins grew up riding roller coasters together. They were a big part of our childhood joy. It’s devastating that something he loved so much is now tied to his passing.” She urged Epic Universe to take the tragedy seriously and to make sure rides are safe for everyone moving forward, saying, “We just want his loss to mean something and hope changes are made so no other family has to go through this.” She also praised Kevin’s personality and suggested that anyone wishing to honor him could donate to his GoFundMe.

An eyewitness, Tommy Italiano, 38, described the chaotic aftermath as Rodriguez Zavala’s cart returned to the station. Italiano said staff members began screaming for riders to get off the ride, prompting an evacuation and widespread panic among guests. He recalled hearing concern that an active shooter might be involved and said Universal staff offered little information in the minutes that followed. “The cast members aggressively started screaming to get off of the platform, and there was an evacuation of the train that was in the station,” Italiano said. “My friend and I initially thought it was an active shooter situation given the response of the ride operators.” He added that many riders were frightened, with some unable to contact family members as they waited on the ride platform.

Universal officials did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail’s request for comment. Epic Universe’s website notes that Stardust Racers includes “sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion, and dropping,” and requires riders to meet certain physical requirements. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride, and the design emphasizes the ability to maintain an upright position and to transfer from a wheelchair where applicable. The park states that Stardust Racers features two tracks that race and cross, with the ride designed to simulate the sensation of a comet streaking through space, and that it was designed to accommodate transfers from wheelchairs to the ride vehicle.

The Stardust Racers ride launched at Epic Universe on May 22, 2025, and quickly became one of the park’s most-anticipated attractions. In the wake of Zavala’s death, Universal said the ride remains closed as it cooperates with the authorities and conducts its own review. In a staff letter, Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin said the company’s internal findings so far indicate that the ride functioned as intended, equipment remained intact at the start and end of the ride, and that team members followed procedures. She emphasized that safety remains a priority and that the attraction would stay closed while the comprehensive review proceeds in cooperation with the ride’s manufacturer.

The incident has prompted renewed attention to ride safety at newly opened theme parks and to the accommodation of guests with mobility challenges. While Universal has stressed its cooperation with law enforcement, investigators will determine whether any mechanical or procedural factors contributed to Zavala’s death and whether additional safety measures are warranted for future guests. Authorities have not provided a public timeline for the investigation, and Universal has not announced any concrete changes to its operations beyond the ongoing review and the temporary closure of Stardust Racers.

Epic Universe, the newest expansion of Universal Orlando’s theme-park complex, opened its doors to the public earlier this year and features several high-profile attractions designed to push the boundaries of thrill-ride technology. Officials have reiterated their commitment to safety and to working with manufacturers and safety inspectors as investigations continue. The park noted that it would continue to cooperate with investigators and would provide updates as new information becomes available. The tragedy underscores the inherent risks associated with extreme attractions, even as operators emphasize safety protocols designed to protect guests with diverse needs and abilities.