Universal Faces New Lawsuit Following Fatal Roller Coaster Incident
Just over a week has passed since the tragic death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe. The 32-year-old was reportedly found unresponsive while on the ride and, despite efforts to revive him, was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. The incident has drawn attention to the safety of the ride, prompting a manslaughter investigation by local authorities.
Related: Guest’s Death on Ride Prompts Criminal Investigation and Legal Moves at Epic Universe
The investigation focuses on whether there was any negligence involved in the events leading to Zavala’s death. The cause of death, according to the medical examiner’s report, was determined to be “multiple blunt impact injuries.” Zavala, a wheelchair user, had a known spinal condition and was reportedly on medication at the time of the ride. However, the specific medication has not been disclosed.
After the incident, Universal Orlando President and COO Karen Irwin stated that the Stardust Racers ride was functioning normally at the time of the event. However, despite this, authorities have opened an investigation to determine whether any factors, either criminal or non-criminal, contributed to the tragic outcome.
In the wake of this tragedy, another situation has come to light involving the Stardust Racers ride.
Related: Tragic Death Prompts Epic Universe to Shut Down Roller Coaster
A guest, 49-year-old Sandi Streets, has filed a lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resort. Streets, who visited Epic Universe in April of this year, claims that the ride caused her serious head injuries. According to her legal complaint, the ride caused her head to “shake violently” and slam against the headrest of her seat.
The woman’s complaint says Stardust Racers caused her head to shake violently and slam against her seat’s headrest. It goes on to say she had a reasonable expectation that the rides inside Epic Universe would be reasonably safe.
One of the allegations is that Universal failed to properly restrain her head while riding Stardust Racers.
The Spetsas-Buist law firm filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, asking for a jury trial to decide how much Universal should compensate Streets for her head injuries.
Related: Fans Devastated as Authorities Release Update on Epic Universe Death
While Universal has not reported any incidents involving Streets during her visit, the theme park has acknowledged other guests reporting health-related issues after riding Stardust Racers.
One such guest, a 47-year-old woman with preexisting conditions, suffered from “visual disturbance and numbness,” while a 63-year-old man experienced dizziness. These reports add a layer of complexity to the investigation and the legal proceedings surrounding the ride.
Meanwhile, the family of Kevin Zavala has hired the prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them in their pursuit of justice. Crump has emphasized that Zavala’s preexisting spinal condition did not contribute to his tragic death. The family’s legal team continues to seek answers as they demand more transparency from Universal and hope to prevent further incidents on the ride.
What do you think about the sudden lawsuit filed after Zavala’s death? Do you believe more individuals will file similar lawsuits in the coming months? Is there a need for Universal to reevaluate the safety features on their roller coasters, particularly Stardust Racers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
