Kevin Rodriguez Zavala's family: We want better safety standards, not to tear down Universal, Stardust Racers

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Attorney Ben Crump and the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the 32-year-old man who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, accused Universal Orlando on Monday of putting "profits over people" by reopening the ride weeks after Zavala's death. 

They also accused Universal of not reaching out to the family after Zavala's death nor to let them know that they intended to reopen the ride before reading it in news reports.

The backstory:

Zavala died on Sept. 17, 2025, after becoming unconscious at some point while on the ride. He was unresponsive and did not have a pulse at the end of the ride, according to an incident report from the Orange County Fire Rescue Department. He died from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Orange County Medical Examiner. His death was ruled an accident.

Stardust Racers reopened on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4.

Crump and Zavala's family had asked that the dual-launch coaster remain closed until several investigations were completed to determine how Zavala died, and until their own ride experts could investigate the ride.

What they're saying:

Universal Orlando's president said that its investigations have found that the ride operated normally, and that its team members followed all procedures and protocols. Universal released a statement on the night of Sept. 17, but has not released one through its media channels since then. FOX 35 has reached out to Universal for comment.

A statement written by Zavala's father, Carlos, was read during the press conference by another family member as he was reportedly feeling under the weather.

"On the night Kevin died, he trusted Universal. That trust cost him his life. Universal said that safety is the most important thing, yet they reopened the ride this weekend without having all of the investigations complete," he said.

"To me, this is not putting safety first. This is not right. I say to the officials at Universal: until you do right, Kevin's blood is on your hands."

In his letter, he alleged that employees attempted four times to close the lap restraint, finally getting the "green light" to appear on the fourth attempt. Attorney Crump has raised questions about the ride restraints previously.

The father also alleged that Zavala knew the ride safety warnings.

"Kevin did nothing wrong. He reviewed the warnings before getting on the roller coaster, like he always did."

Family: We do not want to take down Universal or Stardust Racers. We want to lift safety up.

"We're not here to tear Universal down. We're here to lift safety standards up. We're not against universal. And we know people love the theme parks because Kevin loved them. We just believe every guest deserves to feel safe, no matter who they are, or whether they walk or even roll," his dad wrote in his letter.

When something this tragic happens, the right thing to do is stop, look closely, and find what went wrong, not move on as if nothing happened. We're asking Universal to let our experts inspect the ride, to be transparent, and to work together to make every ride safer."

Zavala's mom also delivered a statement in Spanish, which was then translated in English.

"We're not asking them to close it forever," she said. "We're asking them for answers and to make it safe because we do not want another family to go through what we are all going through. I continue to toss and turn at night, trying to figure out why they don't think my son's life mattered. If this were their children, I don't think they would have opened this ride so quickly."

‘Evidence in an active death investigation’

"Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation. Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a grave risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives. Universal reportedly told employees the ride functioned as intended. If that is accurate, then the design itself is deadly. We are demanding that Universal pause the reopening, preserve all evidence, and allow our experts to inspect it. If they refuse, we will address Universal’s callous actions in court," said Attorney Ben Crump in a written statement last Friday, after Universal Orlando Resort's president shared opening details in an email to employees.

"By rushing to reopen this ride as if nothing happened, Universal is showing great disrespect for Kevin’s life, our family’s pain, and the safety of every rider who steps onto that coaster. We are horrified that Universal would put the ride back into operation so quickly," said Zavala's parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Ana Zavala, in a joint statement before the press conference.

Epic Universe makes changes to rider safety requirements

The president of Universal Orlando said Stardust Racers would reopen with some operational changes and signage changes. Universal updated its rider safety requirements prior to the ride's reopening, according to Universal Orlando's website.

The biggest change was the removal of the following: "You must be able to take a small step into the ride vehicle compartment, either independently or with assistance from your companion," and the addition of: "Guests using mobility devices must be able to walk independently." 

Read: Here is the letter Universal Orlando Resort President sent to Team Members

Dear Team Members, 

As one Universal Orlando family, we continue to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Rodriguez Zavala’s family and loved ones for their loss.  I am very grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and care our team has shown during and since this tragic event took 
place.    

As I previously indicated, our comprehensive technical and operational review confirmed the ride systems functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures throughout. 

Our extensive review was conducted working closely with local officials, and the State of Florida observed the testing and reviewed the results. In addition, the ride system manufacturer of record and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing and validated our findings. I am thankful for their participation throughout this important process.  

Safety, as always, is our top priority. To further assist guests in determining whether they can or cannot ride an attraction, we are updating operational procedures and attraction signage to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides. 

This means we are prepared to reopen Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe on Saturday afternoon, October 4.

What is Stardust Racers?

Dig deeper:

Stardust Racers is a dual-launch coaster located within Epic Universal's Celestial Park. It was one of the most anticipated attractions at Epic Universe, which celebrated its grand opening in May 2025. 

Guests launch and race against each other across 5,000-feet of track, reaching heights up to 133 feet and up to 62 mph.   

What is Epic Universe? Where is it?

On May 22, Epic Universe joined Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay as Universal's newest theme park in Orlando.

Epic Universe is home to five lands: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic.