FILE - Guests ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Theme Park at Universal Resort Orlando, April 10, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, file)
A week after a man died at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, more information has come to light about what happened. Additionally, officials have identified the deceased as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. New details about the case include who Kevin was with when he rode the Stardust Racers roller coaster and what preexisting medical condition.
Emergency workers arrived at the coaster scene on Wednesday under the impression that a man had become unresponsive. They were also reportedly told he had suffered lacerations. But when the medical staff got to the ride, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala wasn’t breathing and eventually died after arriving at the hospital. The sheriff’s office confirmed these details in a report, citing radio traffic.
Joshua Stephany, the medical examiner for the Orlando area, was responsible for performing and finalizing Kevin’s autopsy. On Thursday (September 18), Stephany ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries. Moreover, the medical examiner declared Kevin’s death an accident. Also, the report did not mention any details about alleged injuries to the 32-year-old’s body.
Maria Fernandez told Orlando television station WKMG that he appeared to be slumped over and bleeding when the ride stopped. Fernandez claims she was on the same roller coaster as Kevin Zavala.
According to a Universal Orlando Resorts spokesperson, the resort is cooperating with investigators at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In the meantime, thestate Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Friday that it had sent an investigator to Epic Universe.
“Universal has been extremely cooperative and has complied with all required notifications,” Aaron Keller, the department’s communications director, said in an email.
Zavala’s longtime girlfriend was with him when he opted to ride the roller coaster. She told deputies that he had a preexisting spinal condition. Kevin reportedly used a wheelchair and was taking medication, per a report that AP cited.
Meanwhile, Kevin Zavala’s family took to social media on Friday (September 19) with a post describing their loved one. The post described the 32-year-old as “one of a kind.” He lived in Kissimmee, Florida, a suburb of Orlando.
“Despite the restrictions and obstacles he encountered throughout his life, Kevin met them all with grace, strength, and an unwavering spirit,” his family said. Adding, “He overcame so much, and he did so with quiet resilience and humility.”
As previously reported, the Stardust Racers roller coaster opened to the public in May with the debut of the Epic Universe park. The ride is described on the resort’s website as “a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph).”
For context, the Stardust Racers was among the rides at Epic Universe that designers created to accommodate people transferring from wheelchairs to the ride vehicle. According to a Universal Orlando Resort safety guide, riders must pass through metal detectors to ensure they have no loose items in their pockets that could fly out. Meanwhile, people with prosthetic limbs must remove them before riding.
Unlike smaller venues and fairs, Florida’s largest theme parks are exempt from state safety inspections. Instead, the largest theme parks, like Walt Disney World and Universal, conduct their own inspections and have their own protocols. However, they must report any injury or death to the state.
Associated Press writer Mike Schneider contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
