A scary lawsuit has rocked Universal Orlando. Just one week after a man died on the Stardust Racers roller coaster, a woman says she got hurt bad on the same ride. She wants more than $50,000 from the park. This comes as the ride stays shut for checks. Families worry about safety at big theme parks. What went wrong? Let’s break it down in simple words. We’ll look at the suit, the death, and what the ride is like. Theme park fans, take note—this story hits close to home.
The lawsuit hit court on September 24, 2025, in Orlando. Sandi Streets says she rode Stardust Racers on April 30, during a special invite before the park opened to all on May 22. While zooming along, her head shook hard and banged into the seat’s headrest over and over. She claims this caused lasting harm. The suit blames Universal for not keeping the ride safe and not warning riders enough. “The park knew or should have known about dangers,” the papers say. Universal has not said much yet, but they always stress safety first.
This is not the only worry. On September 17, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, from Kissimmee, Florida, was found not breathing after riding. Doctors said he died from hits to the body in an accident. But early looks by Universal and the state say the ride worked fine. Still, the park shut it down right away. Now, state experts dig deeper. Two other health scares happened since opening: A 63-year-old man felt dizzy, and a 47-year-old woman saw weird things. Both had old health issues and rode on different days.
The Sad Story of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala
Kevin’s death shook everyone. He rode the coaster that Tuesday afternoon. Staff found him limp in his seat. They rushed him to a hospital, but he did not make it. His family set up a GoFundMe for funeral costs. They picked big lawyer Ben Crump to help. At a news talk, Crump said they want full truth. “Kevin had a back problem, but that did not kill him,” he told reporters. “No ride glitch does not mean no safety fix needed.” The family asks to keep the ride closed until all facts come out. As of September 26, no suit from them yet. Crump said it depends on what Universal does next.
Universal’s boss, Karen Irwin, wrote to workers: “Safety comes first always.” The ride maker, Mack Rides from Germany, helps with the probe. They say they back the checks fully. State rules say rides must pass tests before reopening. No date set yet.
What Is Stardust Racers All About?
Stardust Racers is the star thrill at Universal’s new Epic Universe park. It sits in Celestial Park, a fun area with space themes. This is no plain coaster—it’s a racing one with two tracks. Riders split into red or blue teams and launch at the same time. You speed head-to-head, twisting through stars and lights. It’s like a drag race in the sky!
Here are key facts in numbers:
- Top Speed: Hits 62 miles per hour—fast as a car on a highway.
- Height Climb: Goes up 133 feet, taller than a 12-story building.
- Track Length: Covers 5,000 feet of twists and drops.
- Launch Power: Starts with a quick push, not a slow climb.
- Ride Time: About 1.5 minutes of pure rush.
Epic Universe opened in May 2025 as Universal’s biggest new spot. It has lands like Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon. Stardust Racers draws lines for its wild race feel. But now, it’s dark and quiet.
Who Can Ride? Safety Rules Explained
Not everyone hops on. Universal lists clear rules to keep folks safe. You need to:
- Sit straight on your own and hold your body during jerks.
- Use at least one arm to brace.
- Have legs that end below the ankle—no fake limbs allowed.
- Step into the car with help if needed.
Kids must be at least 48 inches tall—that’s 4 feet. No loose items, and loose clothes get checked. The suit says Streets’ head was not held right. Her lawyer claims the seat failed to protect. Universal says all rides meet top safety marks.
Past scares at Universal show risks. In 2019, a woman fell from a balcony at the park. In 2022, a raft flipped on another ride. Each time, probes followed. But deaths are rare. This one hurts most because it’s so new.
Why These Cases Spark Big Questions
Suits like Streets’ push parks to do better. She wants cash for pain, lost work, and doctor bills. Over $50,000 is the start—could go higher. Her case says Universal skipped safe runs and clear alerts. “They had a job to warn us,” the suit reads.
Fans online mix fear and anger. On X (old Twitter), #StardustRacers has 500,000 posts. One dad wrote: “Took my kids last month—scary now.” Groups like the International Association of Amusement Parks push for tougher checks. They say 90% of rides are safe, but one slip changes lives.
For Rodriguez’s family, it’s about more than money. They want no more pain. Crump vows to fight for answers. “Theme parks are dreams, but safety is key,” he said.
Universal faces heat. Epic Universe cost billions and pulls millions of guests. A bad mark could slow crowds. But they vow to fix fast. “We team with experts for every step,” a park voice said.
What’s Next for the Ride and Riders?
Stardust Racers stays off for now. Teams test every bolt and brake. State okay needed to restart. Streets’ suit moves slow—could take months. Rodriguez kin wait on probe results.
This tale reminds us: Thrills come with care. Parks like Universal make magic, but lives top all. Families plan trips with eyes open. Check rules, share health info, and speak up if something feels off.
As September ends, Orlando heals. But questions linger: How safe is safe? For Streets and Rodriguez’s loved ones, the ride’s joy turned to hurt. Universal must listen. Only then can stars shine again without fear.
