Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, has found itself at the center of a heartbreaking tragedy after a guest died shortly after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster, one of the park’s most high-profile attractions.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 17, and has since prompted a formal state investigation. The victim, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee, Florida, was found unresponsive after disembarking from the ride. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
On Thursday, the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries.” The death has been ruled accidental.
This tragic loss has shaken the theme park community and placed increased scrutiny on safety procedures surrounding major thrill rides—particularly in newly opened parks like Epic Universe, which just debuted in May.
As we can see thanks to Orlando Theme Park Zone, the coater has been running for tests at night.
A Promising Day Ends in Tragedy
Details surrounding the exact sequence of events are still limited, as investigations continue. What is confirmed is that Kevin Rodriguez Zavala had boarded Stardust Racers, a dueling launch coaster located in the Celestial Park section of Epic Universe.
At the end of the ride cycle, he was found unresponsive. Emergency services responded, and he was rushed to a hospital. Unfortunately, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The Orange County Medical Examiner told USA TODAY the cause was “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and classified the death as accidental.
The next day, on September 18, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)dispatched an investigator to the scene. FDACS regulates amusement rides in Florida—though large parks like Universal conduct their own inspections due to having full-time in-house safety staff.
“Universal has been extremely cooperative and has complied with all required notifications,” said Aaron Keller, FDACS Communications Director. “This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be released as it is available.”
Remembering Kevin Rodriguez Zavala
Zavala’s family has since created a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral and memorial expenses. As of September 19, it had raised over $13,000 of a $16,000 goal.
The campaign description offers a deeply personal tribute to Kevin’s life and legacy.
“Kevin was truly one of a kind. He had an old soul — wise beyond his years — with a heart full of compassion, love, and understanding,” the page reads.
“He was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice, and lift others up, even when he was facing challenges of his own… He overcame so much, and he did so with quiet resilience and humility.”
In a week that should have been filled with the usual theme park thrills and social media snapshots, this devastating turn has left his family and the Orlando theme park community grieving a profound and sudden loss.
Universal, Manufacturer Respond
Universal Orlando issued a brief but emotional statement following the incident:
“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” a spokesperson said. “We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.”
The manufacturer of Stardust Racers, Mack Rides, also acknowledged the incident in a statement shared with USA TODAY Florida:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident involving the ‘Stardust Racers’ attraction,” said Maximilian Roeser, Head of Marketing for Mack Rides.
“We are currently unable to comment on the circumstances of the accident but are in close contact with the operator and the authorities and are actively supporting the investigation.”
What We Know About Stardust Racers
Built by Mack Rides and marketed as a signature experience at Epic Universe, Stardust Racers is a dueling roller coaster where two trains launch simultaneously and race side-by-side.
The ride features:
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A dual-launch system
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Speeds up to 62 mph
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Track length of 5,000 feet
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A peak height of 133 feet
The attraction is located in Celestial Park, one of Epic Universe’s themed lands, and quickly became a guest favorite after the park’s opening in May.
According to Universal Orlando’s website, guests who wish to ride must:
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Be at least 48 inches tall
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Be able to take a small step into the vehicle compartment
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Have both legs terminating below the ankle
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Have at least one natural upper extremity to brace during the ride
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Be able to maintain an upright position throughout the experience
All of these standards are in place to ensure riders can physically endure the forces and dynamic movements that coasters like Stardust Racers produce.
Ride Closed, But Night Testing Captured on Video
While Universal has not confirmed a reopening date, video recently captured by Orlando Theme Park Zone shows Stardust Racers running at night, indicating that ride testing is underway behind closed gates.
This type of testing is standard practice during investigations, allowing internal and external engineers to gather data and determine if mechanical systems are operating as intended.
Theme park safety experts note that most ride-related incidents are not caused by mechanical failure.
“Mechanical and electrical failures end up being probably the smallest component of what can create an incident,” said Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides.
If mechanical failure is involved, Seay added, manufacturers are obligated to notify other parks using similar equipment:
“We would inform them of that and would detail what steps need to be taken before they continue to operate that ride.”
Jakob Wahl, President and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), added:
“If a ride reopens, I can guarantee you that several investigations have been made, that safety inspectors have looked at the ride, and that all checks have been done in a way that it is safe to reopen.”
In some rare cases, rides may remain permanently closed following incidents, depending on the findings and the nature of the risk. But for now, Universal is keeping Stardust Racers off-limits to guests as the investigation continues.
A Community Grieves While the Industry Waits
Epic Universe was built to push the boundaries of theme park storytelling and thrills, and its opening marked a milestone for Central Florida tourism. But this accident has cast a somber cloud over the park’s early days.
For Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s family, friends, and the larger community, the focus now is on honoring his life and getting answers.
“He was the kind of person who always made time to listen… and lift others up,” his family wrote. “He met challenges with grace and strength.”
As testing continues and investigators dig deeper into what happened on that fateful ride, the hope is that clarity will follow—and that changes, if necessary, will be made in the name of safety and responsibility.
