Universal has allegedly not contacted the family of the guest who died after riding Stardust Ricers at Universal Epic Universe and their attorney says multiple riders have come forward with their own stories of injuries on the ride.
Family and Attorney Talk About Stardust Racers Death
Attorney Ben Crump hosted a press conference on Tuesday morning regarding the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodríguez Zavala, who passed away from “multiple blunt impact injuries” after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on September 17.
In addition to Crump, present at the conference were attorneys Natalie Jackson, Paul Grinke, and Erin Decal, and members of Zavala’s family including his parents, his sister and her husband, his brother, and his girlfriend of 10 years who was on Stardust Racers with him.
Universal claimed in a message to Team Members that their internal findings confirm the “ride systems functioned as intended.” Still, Zavala’s death is being investigated under Florida’s manslaughter statue.
Zavala was unresponsive at the end of the ride and CPR was performed before he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced after 10 p.m.
Zavala was born with spinal cord atrophy. According to the Epic Universe safety and accessibility guide, Stardust Racers “is not allowed for Guests with back, neck, or similar physical conditions” or “Guests with recent surgery or other conditions that may be aggravated by this ride.” Guests should also be able independently “(1) maintain an upright
position, (2) support your torso, neck, and head while absorbing sudden and dramatic movements, and (3) brace your body with at least one natural upper extremity.”
Crump and Zavala’s father, Carlos, both said that he loved theme parks and “rode roller-coasters everywhere” without issue. He was an “enthusiast” and the rides “helped make him feel free.”
Crump called it “offensive and insulting” to say Zavala’s injuries were the cause of his death. He noted that Universal Team Members helped Kevin, who used a wheelchair, board the coaster and asked, “If they [Universal] believe disabled people shouldn’t be on the coaster, then why would they help him?”
Though Crump and the family are still waiting for a full autopsy report, they say Zavala’s injuries were “extensive.”
Zavala was fully conscious when he boarded the ride. At the first drop, he reportedly lurched forward and hit his head. From that point on, his head was hit multiple times, leading to multiple blunt force injuries and lacerations.
Witnesses who have reached out to the family and law firm say the scene afterwards was “chaotic,” with Zavala “completely slumped over.” They said the ride staff “wasn’t helping” and “were not prepared to address an emergency.” The witnesses say it took too long for life-saving measures to be performed. Although Crump did not want to speculate about the specific response time, he said Universal should know exactly how long it took.
Others Injured on Stardust Racers
Alongside witnesses, other riders have shared stories of their own injuries on Stardust Racers prior to Zavala’s death.
“The other people who were complaining, they were not disabled people, and yet they were having problems with being injured on this ride!” said Crump.
The other complaints, which were shared with the attorneys directly or on social media, seem to follow a consistent pattern of problems with the ride’s restraints, causing riders to be “thrown forward” and hit the the bar in front of them. Crump said these complaints align with Zavala’s girlfriend’s account of his injuries.
Crump cited the recent lawsuit against Universal from a woman who claimed injury on Stardust Racers on April 30, 2025, during previews of the park three weeks before its official May 22 opening. 49-year-old Sandi Streets said the coaster caused her head to shake violently and slam against the headrest, and that it lacked proper head restraints. Universal settled that suit within a few days.
In response to a question about the settlement, Crump said there’s speculation that Universal is trying to silence riders but that “if they really believe safety is primary,” as they have said, they should let people come forward.
Zavala’s sister, Lisa, read the following testimonial from a guest who previously passed out on Stardust Racers in May. The statement was shared with the Zavala family via their GoFundMe.
This is so tragic. I also wanted to share with you that I too was severely injured at Universal back in May. I too lost consciousness, suffered a concussion, injuries to my neck and spine. I warned the park representative that exactly something like this was going to happen to somebody. I have pictures of my injury and I was taken to the emergency room after the incident. I too passed out and my child had to watch me just flailing and my head hitting and then had to be taken off, leaned against a wall, where I had no vision, my eyelids fluttering rapidly. After about 30 minutes, they wheelchaired me through the park to their medical office on property. I told them they had a problem with these excessive speed launches and that someone is going to severely get injured or possibly lose their life. I know I was really scared. I also know I am not the only one who has been injured like this. They know they have problems with these rides. The staff kept asking me, ‘Was it the first launch or the second launch?’ They know there’s a problem.
Given these injury reports and more, Zavala’s family believes Universal “missed multiple warning signs.”
“The responsibility lies at the feet of Universal. Not at Kevin or his girlfriend. Not at the disabled community. Not at the previous riders who were injured. Responsibility lies at the feet of Universal Studios,” said Crump. “The fact that [injured riders] spoke to Universal should be enough.”
Crump’s team is communicating with state and local officials about creating greater government oversight for companies like Universal who self-report injuries. According to Crump, Universal has made four Epic Universe reports, three for Stardust Racers and one for Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. Three of the four were published in the quarterly report by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services this summer.
Universal concluded all these incidents were due to guests’ pre-existing conditions, which Crump believes is blaming the victims.
Crump previously represented the family of 14-year-old Tyre Sampson, who passed away after riding an attraction at ICON Park in 2022. This incident led to the creation and passing of the Tyre Sampson Act, which created stricter safety requirements for theme park rides.
“We believe that this is a matter of great public concern,” said attorney Paul Grinke. “We have great concerns about the safety of this ride to the greater public.”
Grinke said their team of experts is investigating and Universal is cooperating with regards to scheduling a time for the team to gain access. However, Universal has not agreed to share surveillance videos. The experts will examine everything from the ride’s design to the seat materials and restraints.
They are calling for the ride to be made safe and that it should not go back into operation until all investigations have been concluded. Stardust Racers has been closed since the incident.
Zavala’s father said Universal has not communicated with the family. They have not called or emailed. “It’s like nothing happened to them but it happened to us,” he said.
The Zavala family and Kevin’s girlfriend are all going through “intense counseling.”
The attorneys and family continue to ask the public to come forward if they have had any issues on Stardust Racers.
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