Stardust Racers death at Universal Orlando ruled accidental after man found unresponsive on Epic Universe coaster
Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala, 35, died after riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe on September 17, 2025. The Orange County Medical Examiner ruled his death accidental from blunt-impact injuries; Universal later reached a confidential resolution with his family.
- Victim: Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala, 35, who used a wheelchair after prior spinal surgery. (Sources: WUSF, ClickOrlando)
- Date & ride: Incident occurred September 17, 2025, on Stardust Racers — a dual-launch coaster at Epic Universe, up to 133 feet and about 62 mph. (Sources: WUSF, ClickOrlando)
- Official finding: Orange County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death was accidental blunt-impact injuries. (Source: WUSF)
- Aftermath: Universal reached a confidential, amicable resolution with the family; terms were not disclosed. (Source: ClickOrlando)
Incident details: what video and witnesses show
Security video and witness statements present a troubling, consistent account: video shows Rodriguez-Zavala appearing alert before dispatch, then slumped forward and unresponsive when the train returned to the station. Witnesses reported he was bleeding from the face and that his legs were inverted while still held by the lap restraint.
Eyewitnesses and statements indicate severe facial trauma and a broken thigh bone. Several riders attempted to assist. A woman identified as his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, said she rode beside him, raised alarms during the ride, and reported that ride operators had to push the lap restraint down multiple times before launch.
“He flew forward when the coaster began its first drop, hitting his head repeatedly during the ride,” Cruz-Robles told investigators. “I tried to hold him and screamed for help until the train returned nearly to the station.”
(Source material and reporting summarized from WUSF.)
Emergency response and rescue attempts
Universal staff and on-site medics responded when the train stopped. Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres reported Rodriguez-Zavala remained trapped in the vehicle after it came to rest. Witnesses and staff said ride operators struggled for about 10 minutes to release the lap bar before the guest was removed and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The delay in releasing the restraint has been cited by witnesses as a critical factor; investigators and safety reviewers will examine rescue procedures, tools, and operator training timelines to determine response adequacy.
Medical examiner ruling and cause of death
The Orange County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death was blunt-impact injuries. The death was ruled accidental, consistent with sheriff’s office reporting and eyewitness accounts of repeated impacts sustained during the ride.
Victim background and accessibility note
Rodriguez-Zavala had prior spinal surgery and used a wheelchair; court documents and family statements referenced metal rods in his back. Family members and their attorney, Ben Crump, rejected the suggestion that his spinal condition caused the fatal injuries, stating the disability did not lead to the blunt-impact trauma that caused death.
This incident raises questions about screening and accommodation: how parks evaluate guests with prior injuries or devices, and how staff ensure restraints seat properly for all riders.
Ride specifics: Stardust Racers and Epic Universe
Stardust Racers, part of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, is a dual-launch coaster that uses high-speed launches and rapid transitions. Universal promotes the ride as reaching up to 133 feet and speeds around 62 mph. Those rapid movements can produce intense, fraction-of-a-second forces that affect how restraints and bodies interact during drops and transitions.
Legal response and settlement
Universal and the family reached an amicable, confidential resolution. Such confidentiality is common in civil settlements. Attorney Ben Crump represented the family publicly; his office did not comment on certain details from the sheriff’s report.
Questions about ride safety and operator actions
Witness accounts that operators pushed the lap restraint down multiple times before dispatch raise important procedural questions: did staff follow established safety checklists, why was the ride dispatched, and why did it take so long to free the rider once the problem became apparent? Investigators will review operator actions, training records, and dispatch logs.
Accessibility, public safety and the role of park training
Parks must balance guest access with safety. Many parks use screening questions and protocols when guests have prior surgeries or mobility devices. While the family maintains the spinal condition did not cause the death, the incident spotlights how parks assess fitness for intense rides and how staff are trained to notice and respond to riders who may have trouble remaining secure.
Investigation status and public records
Local authorities and the medical examiner completed initial reports; the medical examiner issued an accidental ruling and the sheriff’s report aligns with that finding. Because the family reached a confidential settlement, some civil-discovery details may remain sealed. Criminal charges do not appear to have been filed, and no agency has announced additional enforcement actions to date.
Requests for public records could reveal internal ride logs, operator training records, and inspection reports if regulators or investigators pursue further review.
Implications for the United States
Safety and public confidence: High-profile incidents can erode trust in theme park safety, prompting calls for reviews of restraint systems, safety checks, and staff training.
Regulatory scrutiny: State and local regulators may see pressure to tighten oversight, inspections, and reporting—measures that would affect operational costs and staffing.
Legal and transparency issues: Confidential settlements are common, but they leave public questions unanswered; communities reliant on tourism may push for clearer public records when fatalities occur.
Accessibility policy impact: The case may spur renewed discussion about consistent screening and accommodation policies for guests with prior injuries or medical devices.
Sources and reporting notes
Reporting by Times Media Service. Primary reporting and official findings summarized from WUSF Public Media reporting and coverage of the resolution from ClickOrlando reporting.
For further public records or local updates on theme park safety and regulations, readers may contact the Orange County Medical Examiner and local regulatory agencies.
