Police have officially determined the reason behind the death of a man who tragically passed away while on a rollercoaster at Universal Studios.
The victim, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, aged 32, lost his life after riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster at the Florida-based theme park on September 17. According to his girlfriend, who was with him during the ride, Kevin leaned forward on the first part of the ride, hitting his head on the metal lap bar and losing consciousness. Subsequently, he continued to hit his head multiple times during the ride, despite her efforts to prevent it.
The medical examiner has classified the death as accidental, attributing it to “multiple blunt force injuries.” Additionally, the Orange County Medical Examiner’s office concluded that there was no evidence of any criminal activity leading up to Mr. Zavala’s tragic incident, thus closing their investigation.
Kevin, who had a medical history of spinal cord atrophy and previous orthopedic issues, including hip dislocation and a fractured femur, frequented theme parks regularly. At Universal Studios, he was accommodated on the Stardust Racers ride using a standard “lateral transfer” device meant for guests with mobility limitations. Park staff confirmed that the transfer process was routine, and Kevin willingly underwent the safety check before the ride commenced.
During an interview with investigators, Kevin’s girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, mentioned that staff had to secure his lap bar multiple times to activate the safety indicator, although Kevin did not display any signs of pain or discomfort.
Unfortunately, as the rollercoaster descended its initial hill, Kevin unexpectedly thrust forward, sustaining head injuries despite her attempts to restrain him. Witnesses recounted seeing him hunched over with blood coming from his head and his left leg wedged awkwardly between the lap bar at the end of the ride.
Following the incident, Kevin was swiftly taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
In the aftermath of her son’s tragic death, Kevin’s mother expressed her desire for clarity surrounding the circumstances, stating, “We want these answers so we can be able to honor him. We want these answers so we can have some peace. It is extremely difficult losing a son, and we do not wish this pain on anyone.”
Stardust Racers, a high-speed dual-launch roller coaster with a top speed of 62mph, was inaugurated in May when Universal Orlando Resort’s new park opened to the public. After a 17-day closure post the September incident, the ride resumed operations subsequent to internal and external investigations.