Epic Universe‘s Stardust Racers Reopens After Fatal Incident, Investigations Conclude Accident
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe welcomed guests back on Saturday evening, following a two-week closure prompted by a tragic death.
On September 17th, 32-year-old kevin Zavala of Kissimmee was discovered unresponsive immediately after disembarking the new attraction. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. An autopsy steadfast the cause of death to be “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and the incident was officially ruled an accident.
While investigators found no mechanical fault with the ride, the case has raised questions about safety oversight. Universal officials, in a interaction to employees following the incident, stated internal reviews confirmed the roller coaster “functioned as intended” and that all equipment remained “intact” during Zavala’s ride.
However, attorney Ben Crump, representing Zavala’s family, has publicly called for increased governmental scrutiny of Universal’s ride investigations. Crump’s office reported receiving multiple complaints regarding the safety and functionality of the Stardust racers’ restraints, suggesting the tragedy may not have been an isolated event. “These firsthand accounts confirm that Kevin’s tragedy was not an isolated incident,” Crump stated.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) conducted its own independent investigation, concluding on September 22nd with the same findings as Universal Orlando. Investigators from both FDACS and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were on site September 19th. FDACS officials praised Universal’s cooperation, noting the company “has been extremely cooperative and has complied with all required notifications.”
Following the investigations, Universal leadership reiterated its commitment to guest safety. In a letter to employees, a company spokesperson stated that the ride had been deemed safe after further review and that operational procedures and signage woudl be updated. These changes will focus on reinforcing existing ride warnings and clarifying physical eligibility requirements for Stardust Racers and other attractions throughout the park.
