A report from a Florida Sheriff’s Office concluded that the death of a 32-year-old man after riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park was accidental, and the investigation has been wrapped up.
On Friday, a medical examiner’s report revealed that Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala sustained a significant cut on his forehead, along with a fracture above his eye.
The findings noted bleeding on his skull, various bruises on his arms and abdomen, a fractured nose, and a broken right femur.
The Orlando medical examiner had previously determined that Zavala’s death was due to blunt force injuries from an accident.
According to an investigative report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, staff at Epic Universe followed all proper procedures and acted without negligence.
Epic Universe is the latest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort.
Surveillance footage showed Zavala appearing “fine and energetic” at the ride’s start but becoming unresponsive by the end.
Witnesses reported that when the ride stopped, Zavala was found lying on the ground with blood streaming from his face.
A doctor named Anna Marshall, who was in line for the ride, described seeing Zavala slouched and covered in blood when the coaster returned.
She noted that his arm was draped over the vehicle, and his femur was visibly broken.
Zavala was in a wheelchair prior to the ride, and his girlfriend, Jabilis Cruz Robles, mentioned to the paramedics that he had a metal rod in his back due to a past spinal surgery.
“Dr. Marshall expressed that the fact Kevin couldn’t use his legs shouldn’t be viewed as the sole factor in the incident,” stated the report.
Zavala’s family maintained that his condition, which they referred to as spinal cord atrophy, was not responsible for his death on September 17.
There was no response from attorney Ben Crump’s office, which represents Zavala’s family, regarding the Sheriff’s Office findings.
Zavala experienced significant facial injuries when the ride suddenly stopped.
A Universal paramedic, Sebastian Torres, informed investigators that Zavala was still secured by the lap bar when operators struggled for about ten minutes to free him.
“The guest fell off the seat with his legs inverted and was left face down in the vehicle,” Torres recounted in his statement.
Cruz-Robles reported that during initial boarding, the ride operator had to repeatedly adjust Zavala’s knee restraint, expressing concern that the restraint bar was positioned too low.
During the ride’s initial descent, Zavala struck his head on a metal bar, and he reportedly hit it multiple times, unable to restrain himself.
“Ms. Jabilis was screaming for assistance, but since they were midway through the ride, no one heard her until the cart arrived at the station,” the report indicated.
A report from the sheriff’s office noted that warning signs were placed at the ride’s entrance, advising riders against participating if they had back or neck conditions, recent surgeries, or any conditions that could worsen due to the ride.
Zavala’s parents informed investigators that he had surgery for a fractured femur in 2020 and a dislocated hip in 2010.
The dual-launch coaster, which can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, officially opened in May as part of the new theme park.
