Family of Roller Coaster Victim Accuses Universal Orlando of Ignoring Safety Concerns [WATCH]

The family of a man who died earlier this month on a Universal Orlando roller coaster says the theme park ignored safety concerns raised by multiple riders before the fatal incident, as reported by The New York Post.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died September 17 after suffering fatal injuries while riding the Stardust Racers coaster at Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park.

Zavala, who had spinal cord atrophy and used a wheelchair, boarded the coaster with his girlfriend before sustaining blunt impact trauma that proved fatal, according to officials.

Heartbroken family of parkgoer who died after riding Universal’s Epic Universe coaster searching for answers https://t.co/lUJuCXitBn pic.twitter.com/KAJW2KsbdP

— New York Post (@nypost) September 26, 2025

At a press conference last week, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said several other riders have since reported injuries from the same attraction.

The multiple Stardust Racers riders who have come forward to the family and our office lead us to believe that Kevin’s case was not an isolated incident,” Crump said.

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Attorney Natalie Jackson, co-director of litigation for Crump’s Central Florida office, said investigators determined that Zavala “suffered repeated head injuries during the ride and was unconscious for the majority of the duration of the ride.” She added that Zavala also sustained lacerations.

Eyewitnesses told the family they saw Zavala slumped forward in his seat during the ride, with blood visible. Witnesses also said park staff appeared unprepared to respond to the medical emergency once the coaster stopped.

The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who died while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe, are speaking out and demanding answers: “I have no idea what happened there and now I don’t have my kid.” https://t.co/NLOQFoo4EK pic.twitter.com/21kW17hqsR

— ABC News (@ABC) September 25, 2025

Crump stated that Universal Orlando should have recognized warning signs about safety problems with the ride. He pointed out that Universal has already self-reported four incidents tied to Stardust Racers but attributed each to “pre-existing conditions.”

The family also released a message from a woman who said she was injured on the coaster in May. She claimed she lost consciousness, sustained a concussion, and suffered a spinal injury while riding.

Crump said his legal team has requested video footage of Zavala’s ride but that Universal has denied those requests.

Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, told employees in an internal memo that all ride equipment was working properly during the incident and that park staff “followed procedures.”

The Stardust Racers coaster, billed as a marquee attraction at Epic Universe, is a dual-launch ride that reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and climbs to a maximum height of 133 feet.

The family of Zavala has not announced whether they will pursue legal action, but their attorneys insist the park must be held accountable for what they call a preventable tragedy.

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