Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, opened its gates to guests in late May with an array of attractions designed to broaden the resort’s offerings. One of the park’s headline experiences was Stardust Racers, a dual-launch roller coaster reaching speeds of more than 60 miles per hour and climbing to a height of 133 feet. While the attraction debuted as part of the resort’s expansion plans, it has since become the subject of extensive legal review and public scrutiny.
On September 17, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, visited Epic Universe with his girlfriend and boarded Stardust Racers. Authorities later stated that Zavala lost consciousness during the ride. When the coaster returned to the station, emergency personnel were summoned, and Zavala was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the days following the incident, Universal Orlando President and COO Karen Irwin addressed team members, explaining that the attraction had been operating “as intended” at the time. Like many high-speed attractions, Stardust Racers features posted warnings advising guests with neck, back, or other medical conditions to avoid riding.
State and local agencies initiated standard investigative procedures. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services opened a regulatory investigation into the ride, while the Orange County Sheriff’s Office launched a manslaughter investigation, which is customary when a non-natural death occurs. Detectives examined whether negligence or other contributing factors were present.
The medical examiner ultimately ruled that Zavala died from multiple blunt impact injuries. Investigators reported that Zavala’s girlfriend disclosed he had previously suffered a spinal injury and was taking medication during their visit, though officials did not confirm whether those factors contributed to his death.
Her sworn statement became part of the final report. She told investigators that before the ride departed, a Universal team member “pushed down on [his] restraint multiple times.” She also recalled seeing Zavala strike his head several times during the attraction, though she described her memory as fragmented. Deputies later noted that she experienced panic attacks during follow-up interviews and was unable to complete a written statement.
A medical examiner’s report released last Friday detailed injuries that included a deep laceration on Zavala’s forehead, a fractured ridge above his eye, bleeding above the skull, bruising on his abdomen and arms, and fractures to his nose and right thigh bone.
Zavala’s family retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who publicly called for Universal to release ride data, maintenance records, inspection reports, and video footage. Crump also referenced a prior out-of-court settlement involving another Stardust Racers guest who had reported injuries. According to Click Orlando, Crump questioned how Universal responded to those earlier concerns.
Earlier this month, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner released their final findings, ruling Zavala’s death accidental and determining that no criminal conduct occurred. WESH 2 News reported that the case is now closed. Universal later confirmed via Click Orlando that the matter had been amicably resolved, with both the company and Ben Crump Law noting that the terms remain confidential.
Despite the conclusion of that case, Stardust Racers now faces another legal challenge. A North Carolina woman, Debbie Reinelt, filed a lawsuit alleging she suffered “severe and permanent injuries” after riding the coaster during Epic Universe previews on May 5. Click Orlando reported that Reinelt sought medical care for dizziness, headache, and nausea and claimed her head was “violently shaken” during the ride.
Court filings do not reference Zavala or the fatal incident. However, News 6 reported that a woman sharing Reinelt’s name and county posted photos from Epic Universe on the same evening, smiling and posing throughout the park.
One caption read, “Very good day full of roller coasters.” Additional posts showed continued visits to Universal parks in the days that followed, without mention of injury or medical care. While it has not been independently confirmed that the social media account belongs to the plaintiff, the timing and details have drawn attention.
Although official investigations into Zavala’s death have concluded, the discussion surrounding Stardust Racers continues, raising broader questions about ride restraints, health warnings, and guest awareness when experiencing high-thrill attractions.
