Unresponsive Rider Dies After Epic Universe Roller Coaster Incident

ORLANDO, Fla. – Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man, died on September 17 after riding the Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. He was discovered unresponsive following the ride and was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The cause of death has been ruled an accident due to multiple blunt impact injuries. Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany confirmed that Zavala did not fall from the ride.

Universal Orlando officials, in a statement, expressed their devastation over the incident, extending their sympathies to Zavala’s family and ensuring full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The attraction has been closed since the incident.

Witness Maria Fernandez described the scene shortly after the roller coaster ride concluded. “The travel finishes, and one girl starts to say, ‘Help! Help! Help!'” she recalled. Fernandez noted that Zavala appeared slumped over and bleeding as security personnel began ushering riders off the coaster.

Stardust Racers, which opened in May 2025, is known for its thrilling speed of up to 62 mph and a height of 133 feet, making it one of the park’s main attractions. Despite its popularity, this incident raises questions about safety measures and potential underlying health issues, as Zavala reportedly had a previous spinal injury.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately to a ‘man down’ call from the park. Emergency services were performing CPR on Zavala when deputies arrived. Investigators from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are also involved to ensure the ride’s operation and safety protocols were properly followed.

This is not the first incident involving the ride; prior reports indicate guests experienced dizziness and visual disturbances during their experiences. Investigations from regulators and law enforcement are ongoing to uncover more details about the incident.