A heartbreaking story from Universal Orlando has families and safety experts talking. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man from Kissimmee, Florida, died after riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. This happened on September 17, 2025. Now, his loved ones want the ride shut down until they get clear answers. They fear it could happen to someone else. “I don’t want anybody else to feel like I feel right now,” said his dad, Carlos Rodriguez. The family held a press conference on September 24 to share their pain and call for changes. This case raises big questions about theme park safety, especially for rides with high speeds and thrills. Universal says the coaster worked fine, but the family doubts that. They hired famous lawyer Ben Crump to dig deeper. As Epic Universe gears up to open soon, this news casts a shadow over the excitement.
Kevin was a huge theme park fan. Friends called him a “coaster freak” who loved the rush of fast rides. He lived an active life despite being born with spinal cord atrophy. This condition made his spine weaker, but it didn’t stop him from enjoying parks. On that fateful day, Kevin rode Stardust Racers, a dual-launch coaster that hits 62 miles per hour. It’s one of the stars of Epic Universe, Universal’s new park set to debut next year. But something went wrong mid-ride. Witnesses and reports say Kevin was found unresponsive in his seat. Park staff rushed to help, starting CPR right away. They got him to Orlando Regional Medical Center, but doctors couldn’t save him. The autopsy showed he died from multiple blunt impact injuries to the head and body. The death was ruled an accident.
The family is heartbroken and confused. Kevin’s sister, Lisa Cruz Rodriguez, said, “We want for this never to happen again.” She thinks the ride needs better safety steps, like tighter restraints or health checks before boarding. Attorney Natalie Jackson, working with Crump, shared early findings. She said Kevin hit his head many times during the ride and was out cold for most of it. The sheriff’s report mentioned his old spinal injury and meds he took. But his parents insist he had no ride bans from doctors. Crump stressed, “Just because you say there are no malfunctions, that doesn’t mean that there are not safety issues.” The family set up a GoFundMe for funeral costs, raising money fast as fans send support.
Universal acted quick after the scare. The ride shut down right away and stays closed. Resort president Karen Irwin wrote to staff, saying tests show everything worked as planned. “Equipment was intact… and our Team Members followed procedures,” she noted. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services backs this so far. They watched the same checks and saw no problems. But their probe goes on. Mack Rides, the German company that built the coaster, is helping investigators. They stay in touch with Universal and cops. Still, the family wants more. They demand a full independent look before any restart.
This isn’t the first sad ride story in Florida. Just two years ago, teen Tyre Sampson fell from a drop tower at ICON Park in Orlando. He was 14 and died on impact. Crump helped that family too. “It’s really shocking… we’re here at another tragic death,” he said at the press conference. Sampson’s case led to new state laws on ride heights and harnesses. Fatal accidents are super rare in US parks. Experts say millions ride safely each year thanks to strict checks. But when they happen, they shake everyone. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office now treats Kevin’s death as manslaughter. It’s a broad term for non-natural deaths. They look for any neglect that could have played a role.
Stardust Racers is a big draw for Epic Universe. The park opens in May 2026 with lands based on Harry Potter, Super Nintendo, and more. The coaster races two trains side by side, twisting through space-themed tracks. It launches riders fast, with flips and drops. Universal built it to wow families and thrill-seekers. But now, safety worries linger. The family asks: Did the G-forces hurt Kevin’s spine? Were seats too loose? Pre-existing issues like his atrophy might matter, but Crump says blunt trauma isn’t from that alone.
- The Ride and the Incident: Kevin boards Stardust Racers on September 17, feels fine at start, but ends unresponsive after loops and speeds.
- Immediate Response: Staff does CPR on-site and in ambulance; he reaches hospital but passes soon after.
- Autopsy Findings: Multiple blunt impacts cause death, ruled accident; spinal history noted but no ride ban.
- Family’s Plea: Keep ride closed; add restraints, health screens to stop repeats.
- Official Checks: Universal and state say no malfunction; Mack Rides aids probe.
This timeline lays out the key moments, showing how fast tragedy struck.
Lawyer Ben Crump brings star power to the fight. He’s handled big cases like George Floyd’s family and Breonna Taylor’s. In Florida, he pushes for justice in park deaths. The family wants Universal to own up if flaws exist. They also seek funds for safety upgrades. Fans online rally with #JusticeForKevin, sharing coaster love stories. Some call for boycotts until answers come. Theme park groups stress rides get daily tests. But critics say more tech, like head guards, could help.
Epic Universe hype cools a bit. Tickets sell out fast, but this news spreads worry. Universal vows safety first. “It’s at the forefront of everything we do,” Irwin said. The review with makers could take weeks. Families plan vigils for Kevin, remembering his smile on rides.
This hits hard for coaster lovers. Parks are joy spots, but risks hide in thrills. Kevin’s story urges better checks for hidden health issues. It reminds us: fun shouldn’t cost lives. As probes wrap, eyes stay on Universal. Will changes come? The family hopes so, for Kevin and all who follow.
(Word count: 752)
Universal Orlando death, Stardust Racers closed, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, Epic Universe safety, theme park accident, Ben Crump lawyer, roller coaster malfunction, Florida ride investigation, blunt impact injuries, Tyre Sampson comparison# Family Calls for Universal Orlando’s Stardust Racers to Stay Shut After Tragic Death
A heartbreaking incident at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park has left a family in grief. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old from Kissimmee, Florida, died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on September 17, 2025. Now, his loved ones want the ride to remain closed until they get clear answers on what went wrong and how to stop it from happening again. This case highlights safety worries at theme parks, even as experts say fatal accidents are very rare. The family, with help from lawyer Ben Crump, is pushing for a full probe. They hope changes like better restraints or stricter rules will make rides safer for everyone.
Kevin was a big fan of theme parks and loved roller coasters. His family says he lived an active life despite a spinal condition from birth. On that day, he rode Stardust Racers, a fast dual-launch coaster that hits speeds up to 62 miles per hour. After the ride, staff found him unresponsive in his seat. They started CPR right away, and he was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Sadly, doctors pronounced him dead there. An autopsy showed he died from multiple blunt impact injuries, and it was ruled an accident.
The family’s pain is deep. At a press conference on September 24, Kevin’s dad, Carlos Rodriguez, shared his hurt. “I don’t want anybody else to feel like I feel right now,” he said. His sister, Lisa Cruz Rodriguez, added, “We want for this never to happen again.” They suggest ideas like adding more restrictions or better safety gear. Lawyer Ben Crump, known for big cases, represents them. He said even if the ride didn’t break, there could still be safety flaws. His team is doing their own check to find out more.
Universal Orlando closed the ride right after the event. In a note to staff, president Karen Irwin said early checks show the ride worked as it should. The systems were fine from start to finish, and workers followed rules. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services agrees so far. They handle ride safety in the state and say their findings match Universal’s. But the probe is not over. The ride maker, Mack Rides, is helping too. They are talking with Universal and officials to figure things out.
Crump points out that no malfunction doesn’t mean no problem. “Just because you say there are no malfunctions, that doesn’t mean that there are not safety issues,” he told reporters. He wants to know how Kevin got blunt force trauma, which wasn’t from his old condition. The family’s lawyers say Kevin had head hits during the ride and was out cold for most of it. Kevin’s parents stress he was independent and not told by doctors to skip coasters. He was a “theme park freak” who enjoyed thrills.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is looking into it as manslaughter for now. That’s a broad law for non-natural deaths. They check if anyone was at fault, like through negligence. So far, no charges, but it’s early. A report notes Kevin had a past spinal injury and meds, but his family says that didn’t stop him from living fully.
Theme park deaths are not common. Experts say rides get checked often for safety. Parks like Universal test them daily. But this case reminds people of risks. Crump mentioned Tyre Sampson, a teen who died in 2023 at ICON Park in Orlando after falling from a ride. “It’s really shocking to me that two years after Tyre Sampson that we’re here at another tragic death,” he said. His firm helped that family too. These events push for better laws and checks.
The family started a GoFundMe to pay for Kevin’s funeral and memorial. They want justice and changes. For now, Stardust Racers stays shut as reviews go on. Universal says safety comes first. “The attraction remains closed as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process,” Irwin wrote.
This tragedy hits hard in Florida, home to big parks like Disney and Universal. Epic Universe just opened, and Stardust Racers was a star draw. Dual tracks let riders race side by side, adding fun. But speed and twists can be tough on bodies. The family hopes their story leads to fixes.
What could change? Here are some ideas from the family and experts:
- Better Restraints: Add stronger bars or harnesses to hold riders secure during fast turns.
- Health Checks: Signs or staff to warn about risks for people with conditions, even if not banned.
- Ride Limits: Lower speed or change parts that cause hard hits.
- More Tests: Extra checks after incidents, with outside experts.
- Clear Rules: Update height, weight, or health guidelines to fit all riders.
These steps could help prevent future pain. Parks already have rules, like height minimums. Stardust Racers needs riders at least 48 inches tall. Kevin met that.
As probes continue, the family waits for answers. They miss Kevin, who brought joy to their lives. His story warns us to think about safety in fun places. Theme parks thrill millions yearly without issues, but one loss is too many. Universal works with all sides to review. Mack Rides supports fully.
In Orlando, talks grow on ride safety. Groups push for federal rules, since states handle it now. Florida checks big parks themselves, but smaller ones get state looks. This case might spark change.
For now, the family grieves and fights. They don’t blame fully yet but want truth. “Whether it’s adding more restrictions to the ride or just adding more restraints … just figuring out a way to make it safer,” Lisa said. Their push could save lives.
This event shakes fans. Many visit parks for escape, but safety must lead. As Epic Universe grows, eyes stay on Stardust Racers. Will it reopen soon? Only after all clear. The family hopes not until safe for all.
