A 32-year-old guest died riding Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers. New report reveals spinal injury detail and safety questions now on the table.
What We Know: The Tragedy At Epic Universe
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, rode the new dual launch roller coaster Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe and shortly afterward was found unresponsive. He later died. The medical examiner ruled the manner of death an accident. This is the first (and hopefully last) Epic Universe death related to a ride. The Orange County Sheriff indicated that Universal has been extremely cooperative and has complied with all required notifications regarding risks for riders.
An incident report revealed Zavala had “multiple blunt impact injuries” and a preexisting spinal injury. It isn’t yet clear whether his spinal condition played a role in what happened.
The ride, which towers roughly 133 feet, has been shut down since the incident. Universal park officials have said there is no timeline for reopening while investigators continue piecing together the facts.
The How: What We Know Of The Incident And Park’s Response
Zavala was found unresponsive on the ride platform, bleeding and with a leg injury according to a witness who rode at the same time. Universal Orlando Health Services was performing CPR when law enforcement arrived.
The park’s safety guide clearly states the ride is not for guests with back, neck, or similar physical conditions.
Also noted in state records: since the ride opened in May there have been two other health-related incidents tied to Stardust Racers, both involving guests with pre-existing conditions. One was dizziness in a 63-year-old man, the other a “visual disturbance” in a woman of 47.
Should Stardust Racers Reopen Or Is This A Fluke?
It is hard to say yet whether this tragedy is a rare, unforeseeable event or something that indicates deeper design, policy, or safety oversight issues. On one hand pre-existing health conditions make this case less straightforward: Universal does warn guests with spinal, back, or neck issues to avoid the ride. That suggests the park is not blind to potential risks.
On the other hand this is the ride’s first fatality, and at least two prior incidents tied to health issues have not resulted in anything like this. That suggests this might be an outlier rather than a predictable risk. The park only opened in late May of 2025.
In situations like this re-opening might make sense once investigators are sure no mechanical fault or design flaw contributed. Revising safety warnings or physical checks for riders with known conditions could also be part of the path forward.
Conclusion
This tragic death at Epic Universe is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about how theme parks manage risk when riders with pre-existing conditions board high-intensity attractions. Though Universal’s safety guide already notes that Stardust Racers is not suitable for people with back, neck, or similar issues the fact that Zavala had a spinal injury suggests more clarity or checks may be needed. Given that previous incidents were minor and didn’t lead to death, this may well be a rare, freak accident rather than a systemic failure. Still, moving forward re-opening the ride responsibly means ensuring every possible caution has been taken and that warnings are crystal clear so guests can make informed decisions. Regardless, for the Zavala family future changes to notices are cold comfort, and this was not the result of a malfunction. I suspect it will re-open after some time but if it shouldn’t re-open, should Universal reconstruct it to reduce its intensity or simply dismantle and replace it?
What do you think?
My heart goes out to the man who lost his life as this is tragic and sad… The media loves to jump on this stuff and spread fear but here is the facts.
Universal states CLEARLY not to ride if you have any heart, neck or back problems or any pre existing conditions and the man did indeed have a pre-existing spinal injury. This does NOT mean he deserved this… this is absolutely awful BUT he did assume the risk, not Universal. He willingly rode many times and ignored the warnings.
In the photo , does it look safe ? No .
So , why would anyone be so dumb to go near it ?
Do helicopters look safe ? No .
Do space launches look safe ? No .
Not sure how he had so many injuries, surely there must be harness or other safety device? Most humans likely have a pre-existing condition of some sort by the age one is old enough to ride, so legally the park is covered. My kids loved riding this type of thing. Me, I get dizzy on a express elevator from low blood pressure.
I imagine they will reopen it. My condolences to the young man’s family
Press reported the young man allegedly was wheelchair dependent. He may have lacked the sensation to adjust his body to the G forces.
How do you get leg injuries from such a ride, even with a previous spinal injury? There’s more going on here.