Following a tragic incident earlier this year at Epic Universe, the final incident report detailing the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on the Stardust Racers roller coaster has been released. On the night of September 17, Zavala was found unresponsive after the ride, as first reported by ClickOrlando. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, with multiple blunt impact injuries cited as the cause of death.
According to further details from the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Zavala, who was wheelchair-bound due to a spinal injury, experienced severe facial trauma and a significant amount of blood loss during the ride. Zavala's girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, who was with him at the time of the incident, told investigators that a ride employee had pushed down on Zavala's lap restraint multiple times before the ride commenced, as WESH reported. Despite the apparent security measures, Zavala moved forward, striking his head on the metal bar in front of him on the first hill.
The medical examiner's initial findings pointed to blunt impact injuries as the cause of death, which were consistent with these observations. Furthermore, it was later discovered that Zavala endured a broken femur, which may have played a role in the incident. Witnesses, including a doctor waiting in line for the ride, observed Zavala's condition and the traumatizing scene.
Despite the evident injuries and the doctor's belief that Zavala's improperly functioning legs were not the sole cause of his death, the investigative outcome was concluded as an "accidental death." A universal ride attendant ensured Zavala was released from the restraint when first responders arrived, but Zavala had already sustained severe injuries and significant blood loss, according to the statements obtained by ClickOrlando. The Orange County Sheriff's Office determined that there were "no criminal acts" in Zavala's death and has closed the case. Upon review, officials ascertained that Epic Universe employees had followed Standard Operating Procedures, not acting in a careless or neglectful manner.
