Tragedy on a Thrill Ride: Epic Universe Roller Coaster Death Highlights Safety & Liability Questions

A devastating incident at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park has drawn national attention and raised important questions about amusement ride safety after a rider died on the Stardust Racers roller coaster. Authorities have officially ruled the death an accidental fatality, but the details of what happened and its broader implications remain deeply significant.

On September 17, 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala rode the Stardust Racers attraction at Epic Universe, one of the newest and most intense thrill rides at the park. After the ride returned to the station, Zavala was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators concluded he died from multiple blunt-impact injuries, and the manner of death was classified as accidental.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation showed that Zavala was slumped over in his seat at the end of the ride, bleeding from the face and suffering severe trauma including a fractured forehead and broken thigh bone, as noted in the coroner’s report. Witnesses and medical personnel at the scene described the gravity of his injuries when the ride stopped.

Authorities found that ride operators followed standard procedures, and there was no evidence of neglect or intentional wrongdoing on the part of park staff. Universal Orlando officials stated that internal reviews and engineering inspections confirmed the ride was functioning as designed at the time of the accident.

Zavala used a wheelchair due to spinal cord atrophy, a condition he lived with independently before the tragedy. Although he had a pre-existing disability, investigators and the medical examiner clarified that this condition was not the cause of his death, emphasizing the blunt trauma sustained during the ride’s forceful movements.

Before boarding, Zavala’s lap restraint required significant effort from ride attendants to secure. His girlfriend, who sat beside him, told investigators that Zavala flew forward during the coaster’s first descent and struck his head multiple times against a metal surface, contributing to the blunt force injuries that ultimately proved fatal.

While amusement parks like Universal implement strict safety protocols and provide rider restrictions based on physical conditions, accidents like this highlight important issues:

• Ride Suitability and Health Warnings: Theme parks typically post warnings about physical limitations or conditions that may be exacerbated by high-speed rides. Ensuring patrons understand and heed these warnings can be critical to preventing harm.
• Design and Restraint Systems: When restraints don’t fully secure a rider’s upper body or head, especially during rapid acceleration and deceleration, the risk of blunt trauma increases — even if the ride is technically operating as intended.
• Investigation and Transparency: Zavala’s family, represented by attorney Ben Crump, has called for additional transparency, including access to maintenance logs, ride video, and other records, to better understand the full context of this tragedy.

Accidents like this — whether they occur on roads, at theme parks, or through mechanical equipment failure — can leave families devastated and struggling with unanswered questions. At Makkabi Law Group, we have experience helping individuals and families who have suffered wrongful death or serious personal injuries due to potentially unsafe conditions or negligence.

Our team can help by:

• Reviewing investigative reports and autopsy findings to determine whether other factors, such as design flaws or inadequate warnings, played a role.
• Coordinating with experts in ride engineering, medical causation, and safety to build a comprehensive understanding of the incident.
• Pursuing claims for compensation that may cover funeral costs, loss of income, and pain and suffering for families who have lost a loved one.
• Holding responsible parties accountable, whether that involves park operators, manufacturers, or service providers.

The death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on the Stardust Racers roller coaster is a sobering reminder that even in environments designed for fun and entertainment, serious injuries and fatalities can occur. When a loved one is lost under such unexpected circumstances, the path forward can feel overwhelming.

Families deserve clarity, resources, and strong legal advocacy. Makkabi Law Group is here to help guide you through the complexities of wrongful death and personal injury claims — so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.