by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine
(September 18, 2025) A 32-year-old man died Wednesday evening after becoming unresponsive while riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala of Kissimmee was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead, marking the first fatality at the resort’s newest theme park since its opening in May 2025.
The Orange County Medical Examiner has ruled the death accidental. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has launched a comprehensive death investigation, and Stardust Racers remains closed indefinitely.
The Findings So Far
Dr. Joshua Stephany, the Orange/Osceola Chief Medical Examiner, conducted the autopsy and delivered findings that surprised many observers. “Multiple blunt impact injuries” became the official cause of death, a determination that points to physical force rather than a typical medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke.
Off-duty deputies initially responded to a “man down” call at the theme park Wednesday night. When emergency responders arrived at the Stardust Racers loading area, they found Zavala unresponsive in the ride vehicle. Witnesses reported seeing crime scene investigators photographing the coaster train as part of their examination.
The sheriff’s office has not released details about how these blunt force injuries occurred or their specific location on Zavala’s body. The investigation continues as authorities work to understand the complete sequence of events that led to the fatal outcome.
The Ride at the Center of Tragedy
Stardust Racers stands as one of Epic Universe’s centerpiece attractions, a dual-launch racing coaster. Built by German manufacturer Mack Rides, the attraction features two parallel tracks that launch riders simultaneously to 62 mph and heights reaching 133 feet.
The ride’s signature element is the “Celestial Spin,” an inverted crisscross maneuver where both trains intertwine at the ride’s peak height. Each train carries 20 riders across 5,000 feet of track, with the entire experience lasting approximately two minutes.
Universal markets the ride as taking guests on “a race across the cosmos” featuring “sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion and dropping.” The coaster uses lap bar restraints without over-the-shoulder harnesses, a design that Mack Rides promotes for providing enhanced freedom and weightlessness sensations.
Safety requirements include a minimum height of 48 inches. Universal warns against riding for guests with heart conditions, blood pressure issues, back or neck problems, recent surgeries, pregnancy, or sensitivity to strobe lights and motion. All riders must store loose items and pass through metal detectors before boarding.
Before opening to the public, Stardust Racers underwent 80 consecutive hours of flawless testing operation.
Previous Medical Incidents
Wednesday’s death was not Stardust Racers’ first reported medical incident. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services records show several guests have experienced health issues on Epic Universe attractions since the park opened.
In May 2025, a 63-year-old man reported dizziness and an “altered state of consciousness” after riding the coaster. A separate incident the same month involved a 47-year-old woman who experienced “visual disturbance” and numbness following her ride. Another May incident on the park’s Hiccup’s Wing Gliders roller coaster resulted in a 32-year-old man experiencing chest pains.
While these incidents were non-fatal, they provide context for understanding the intense physical demands that Epic Universe’s thrill rides place on guests. Such reports are not uncommon at major theme parks, particularly on high-intensity attractions designed to push the limits of rider experience.
Adding another layer of complexity, Universal’s mobile app showed Stardust Racers on an “extended closure” hours before the fatal incident. The company has not disclosed the reason for this earlier downtime, leaving investigators to examine whether any operational issues contributed to the tragedy.
Universal’s Response and Industry Impact
Universal Orlando expressed devastation over the incident and pledged full cooperation with investigators. The company’s official statement emphasized sympathy for Zavala’s family while confirming the attraction’s indefinite closure.
“We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” Universal stated. “We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation.”
The closure removes one of Epic Universe’s marquee attractions during peak fall tourism season. Universal has provided no timeline for reopening, stating only that Stardust Racers will remain closed pending investigation completion.
This tragedy affects Universal’s ambitious Epic Universe project. The park cost $6 billion to develop and represents the company’s largest theme park investment ever. Opening just four months ago, Epic Universe was designed to compete directly with Disney World’s newest offerings and establish Universal as Central Florida’s premier theme park destination.
Florida’s Self-Regulation System
The incident highlights Florida’s unusual approach to theme park safety oversight. Major parks like Universal Orlando and Disney World operate under a self-inspection system, exempt from state safety inspections that govern smaller venues and traveling carnivals.
These large operators must conduct their own safety inspections and report incidents resulting in guest injury or death to state agriculture officials. This regulatory framework places enormous responsibility on park operators to maintain rigorous internal safety protocols without external oversight.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions notes that Florida still requires rides to meet ASTM F24 global safety standards. These comprehensive guidelines cover risk assessment, hazard mitigation, rider restraints, biomechanical forces, and extensive pre-opening testing requirements.
However, critics argue that self-regulation creates potential conflicts of interest, especially when incidents threaten park operations and revenue. The system relies heavily on industry integrity and internal oversight mechanisms that may not always catch problems before they become tragic.
Statistical Reality and Ongoing Questions
Fatal accidents at major theme parks remain extraordinarily rare. Industry data shows the chance of serious injury on a fixed-site ride is approximately one in 15.5 million rides taken. When deaths do occur, they typically result from pre-existing medical conditions rather than mechanical failures.
The medical examiner’s finding of “multiple blunt impact injuries” as Zavala’s cause of death is significant because it suggests something beyond a simple medical emergency. This type of trauma-based ruling often triggers detailed engineering analysis of ride forces, restraint effectiveness, and operational procedures.
Several critical questions remain unanswered. How did Zavala sustain these injuries while secured in a lap bar restraint system? Did he lose consciousness first, allowing uncontrolled movement that caused the trauma? Was there any mechanical issue with the ride vehicle or restraints? Did the earlier “extended closure” indicate operational problems that contributed to the incident?
The sheriff’s investigation must address these questions while Universal conducts its own internal review. The findings could influence theme park safety protocols nationwide, particularly regarding high-intensity coasters and their effects on riders with varying health conditions.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation continues, Epic Universe operates its remaining attractions while grappling with this tragedy’s impact on guest confidence. The park’s other major coasters, including VelociCoaster and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at adjacent Universal parks, use similar lap bar restraint systems, making the investigation’s findings critically important for Universal’s entire operation.
The incident raises important questions about ride safety protocols and guest medical screening procedures. Industry experts will examine whether current warning systems adequately communicate ride intensity to guests with potential health conditions. The findings may also influence how theme park operators balance the demand for increasingly intense attractions with comprehensive safety measures.
The investigation’s outcome will determine whether modifications are needed to Stardust Racers’ design, operation, or safety procedures. Any recommended changes could have industry-wide implications, particularly for high-intensity coasters using similar restraint systems and force profiles.
Universal faces the challenge of maintaining public trust while cooperating fully with investigators. The company’s response to this tragedy and implementation of any recommended safety improvements will likely influence industry standards and regulatory discussions nationwide. The investigation’s findings will provide crucial data for understanding how extreme ride forces interact with human physiology and what additional safeguards may be necessary to prevent similar incidents.
Editor’s Note: For many of us, theme parks are more than just rides. Theme parks are portals to another world. They are places where reality fades and we can be fully immersed in a story… a universe of pure imagination. The joy and escapism they promise are why we love them so deeply. Today, our hearts are heavy as we face a tragedy that shatters that illusion. The death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala is a sobering reminder that even in these magical places, the real world can intrude with profound sorrow. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event.
