In Orlando, survivors of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who tragically died after riding a roller coaster at Epic Universe earlier this month, are seeking answers regarding the incident.
Rodriguez Zavala reportedly became unresponsive following his ride on the Stardust Racer coaster on September 17. Investigations revealed he suffered multiple blunt force injuries.
An inspector from Orange and Osceola counties determined the death was accidental but didn’t provide further specifics about the nature of the injuries.
State investigators later confirmed that the roller coaster was functioning correctly when Rodriguez Zavala became unresponsive. However, Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney representing the family, stated at a press conference that the findings don’t necessarily guarantee the ride’s safety.
“Just because there was no malfunction doesn’t mean there were no safety concerns that could have been addressed to prevent this tragic loss,” Crump remarked.
During the press briefing, Lisa Cruz Rodriguez described her brother as a thoughtful and kind person.
“I wish for no one else to experience this,” she expressed.
She mentioned that she had talked to her brother just a week prior, noting he was excited about visiting the new theme park.
“It’s a heartbreaking loss for Kevin’s family,” Crump added. “If we don’t take lessons from this, it will be an even greater tragedy.”
Crump’s team indicated Kevin had suffered severe head injuries throughout the ride, rendering him unconscious for most of it.
Despite being born with a spinal condition, Rodriguez Zavala had enjoyed roller coasters before without incident. His lawyer emphasized that he was in good health at the time.
Rodriguez Zavala’s family is advocating for full transparency surrounding the circumstances of his death, requesting access to maintenance logs, inspection records, ride data, and video footage of the incident. They also hope that the Stardust Racer ride will be temporarily closed pending a thorough investigation.
“We hope the released video will clarify what really happened,” Crump urged.
Karen Irwin, Universal Orlando Resort’s president and CEO, assured that safety is a priority and affirmed the ride’s proper functioning and equipment integrity, yet questions remain about the cause of the young man’s death.
Crump had previously represented the family of Tyree Sampson, who died after falling from a ride at Icon Park in March 2022.
