The family of the man who died on a Universal rollercoaster has broken their silence on the devastating incident, while issuing a chilling message to the theme park.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after suffering ‘blunt force trauma’ after riding the Stardust Racers at Universal Studios’ brand new park Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, which opened in May.
Rodriguez Zavala, who used a wheelchair due to an unspecified past spinal injury, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Local media reported that he did not fall from the ride, but sustained injuries while on board. The exact cause is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
One of Rodriguez Zavala’s family members has now spoken exclusively to the Daily Mail about the horrifying ordeal.
Karina Zavala, the victim’s cousin, recalled riding rollercoasters with Rodriguez Zavala all the time as kids, and said his spinal injury never stopped him from enjoying rides.
‘Kevin was someone who never let his limitations stop him from living life to the fullest,’ she said.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala (seen), 32, was killed after riding a Universal rollercoaster
Zavala suffered ‘blunt force trauma’ while on board the Stardust Racers (seen on a different date) at Epic Universe in Orlando, which opened in May
‘All of us cousins grew up riding roller coasters together. They were a big part of our childhood joy.
‘It’s devastating that something he loved so much is now tied to his passing.’
Karina, who did not comment on the investigation directly, said she hoped that Epic Universe will take the tragedy ‘seriously’ and ‘make sure rides are safe for everyone moving forward.’
‘We just want his loss to mean something and hope changes are made so no other family has to go through this,’ said Karina.
She praised her cousin’s ‘wonderful, caring, and resilient’ personality,’ adding that ‘he didn’t deserve to die the way he did.’
‘He is and will always be deeply missed. His favorite drink was chocolate milk, and now every time I have a cup, I clink it to the sky and say “cheers” to him,’ she said.
‘If anyone would like to honor him, they can donate to the GoFundMe.’
Karina Zavala, the victim’s cousin, recalled riding rollercoasters with Rodriguez Zavala (seen) all the time as kids, and said that his spinal injury never stopped him from enjoying rides
Karina (seen top row second from left) said of Rodriguez Zavala (seen bottom row third from left): ‘All of us cousins grew up riding roller coasters together’
Karina, who did not comment on the investigation directly, said she hoped that Epic Universe (seen on a different date) will ‘make sure rides are safe for everyone moving forward’
Stardust Racers hurtles along at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and reaches heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track.
It features two rollercoasters that race and cross paths during the ride, and creators said it was designed to mimic the feeling of a comet racing through space.
An onlooker named Tommy Italiano, 38, who was waiting to board the ride when the cart carrying Rodriguez Zavala returned to the station, described the ‘chaotic’ scene after staff members found the man unresponsive.
He claimed the ride attendants started screaming at people to get out of the station, which caused widespread panic amongst the other guests.
‘The cast members aggressively started screaming to get off the platform and they did an evacuation of the train that was currently sitting in the station,’ he said.
‘My friend and I initially thought it was an active shooter situation given the response of the ride operators.
‘This turned into pandemonium as guest started to panic and scream, and try to get off of the platform.’
He alleged that Universal staff would not give out any information as to what was going on. With some riders held on the ride without access to their cellphones, he said many people were ‘terrified’ something had happened to their family members.
Rodriguez Zavala (seen), who used a wheelchair due to an unspecified past spinal injury, was found unresponsive after riding the popular ride, and was later pronounced dead
Stardust Racers hurtles along at speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and reaches heights of 133 feet along a 5,000-foot track. The coaster is seen on a different date
‘People were terrified and I witnessed one mother screaming and crying hysterically because her son didn’t come off the platform,’ he said.
‘Universal employees would not give her any information, let alone tell her that her son was safe.’
Tommy said he walked passed Rodriguez Zavala as he was exiting and saw him ‘slouched over the restraint.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Universal for comment.
Epic Universe’s website warns that the ride includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, tilting, inversion, and dropping.
Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride and can choose between two coaster tracks.
‘You should be able to independently: maintain an upright position, support your torso, neck, and head while absorbing sudden and dramatic movements, and brace your body with at least one natural upper extremity,’ reads a warning on Universal’s website.
‘When seated, both natural legs must, at minimum, terminate below the ankle. No prosthetic limbs.
‘You must be able to take a small step into the ride vehicle compartment, either independently or with assistance from your companion.’
Stardust Racers is listed under the rides that ‘have been designed to accommodate those transferring from their wheelchair to the ride vehicle.’
An onlooker named Tommy Italiano (seen), 38, who was waiting to board the ride when the cart carrying Rodriguez Zavala returned to the station, described the ‘chaotic’ scene
He claimed the ride attendants started screaming at people to get out of the station, which caused widespread panic amongst the other guests. The ride is seen on a different date
The ride launched on May 22, 2025, and was one of the most highly-anticipated attractions at the theme park.
It closed following Rodriguez Zavala’s death, and the park has not said whether it will reopen.
‘Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night,’ a spokesperson for the theme park said following the tragedy.
‘We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones.
‘We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.’
In a letter to staff, Universal President and COO Karen Irwin stated that the ride functioned as intended during the incident.
‘Our internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures,’ she wrote.
‘The attraction remains closed as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process in cooperation with the ride manufacturer of record. Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do.’
