A 32-year-old man died after riding Universal Orlando Resort’s new flagship roller coaster, Stardust Racers, at Epic Universe. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred on the evening of September 17 inside Celestial Park, the central hub of the theme park.
Law enforcement and emergency medical teams responded quickly to the scene, which drew a visible presence of officials inside the newly opened resort. Stardust Racers has since been closed indefinitely while an investigation takes place.
The guest has now been identified as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Zavala was found unresponsive in the coaster and transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead (via Spectrum News 13).
Autopsy Results and Universal’s Response
Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany, M.D., performed an autopsy the following morning. His report determined the cause of death to be “multiple blunt impact injuries.” Officials ruled the manner of death accidental.
“Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe,” the company said in a statement shared through the Orange County Fire Rescue Department. “The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died.”
Universal added, “We extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”
Witness Accounts and Ride History
A witness who claimed to be in line at the time shared their account on Reddit. They alleged Zavala appeared to lose consciousness mid-ride and struck his head. His mother, seated beside him, was described as frantic when the train returned to the station.
Stardust Racers opened alongside Epic Universe in May and is promoted as a high-speed thrill ride. The dual-launch coaster – which has earned a reputation among roller coaster fans for dislodging wigs – features over 5,000 feet of track, reaches speeds up to 62 mph, and climbs 133 feet. The inverted crisscross section has been widely highlighted as a signature moment.
Epic Universe itself has drawn international attention as Universal’s largest expansion in decades. The park features immersive lands, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, all centered around Celestial Park.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture’s incident report, three guests were hospitalized after visiting Epic Universe between April and June, including two who rode Stardust Racers. A 63-year-old man experienced dizziness, and a 47-year-old woman reported visual disturbance and numbness. Both cases were linked to preexisting conditions.
The death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala has now placed Universal’s headline attraction under renewed scrutiny, with officials reviewing the circumstances as the roller coaster remains closed.
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