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ORLANDO, Fla. - A man at Universal Orlando's newly-opened Epic Universe theme park died on Wednesday after riding one of the theme park's roller coasters: Stardust Racers.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office identified the man as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. The Medical Examiner said Zavala died from "multiple blunt impact injuries," and ruled his death as an accident.
His family told FOX 35 over the phone that Zavala was at Epic Universe with his girlfriend for a day of fun.
What is Stardust Racers?
What we know:
(Credit: Universal Orlando)
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.
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Here is how Universal describes Stardust Racers:
"Share a race across the cosmos on Stardust Racers, a breathtaking, dual-launch coaster reaching incredible speeds up to 62 mph. Board a comet and rocket to the furthest reaches of the stars, at heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. Race along an inverted crisscross, known as the ‘Celestial Spin’ in a dazzling display of blazing colors and ethereal music."
Stardust Racers was closed Wednesday night and all day on Thursday. It is unclear when the coaster will reopen.
What is Epic Universe?
Dig deeper:
Epic Universe is Universal's newest and fourth theme park in Florida, featuring five distinct themed "worlds": Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk and Celestial Park.
It opened on May 22, 2025, becoming the newest major theme park to open in Central Florida in several years. Universal has two other theme parks – Universal Orlando Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure – and the Volcano Bay waterpark.
What happened?
Universal said a guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers on Sept. 17, 2025, and was taken to the hospital where he died.
"Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night," Universal said in a prepared statement. "The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. 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."
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Universal Orlando and the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO).