Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family of the man who passed away shortly after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, has issued a new statement about plans to reopen the attraction later today.
Stardust Racers Reopening
After reporting on rumors that Universal was planning to reopen Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, it was later confirmed in a message to Team Members from Universal Orlando Resort President & COO Karen Irwin that the attraction is expected to reopen sometime in the afternoon of October 4. In the message, Irwin mentioned:
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.
Stardust Racers has remained closed since the evening of September 17, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodríguez Zavala was rushed to a nearby hospital after riding and passed away shortly afterward. Later reports attributed Zavala’s death to “multiple blunt impact injuries.” It was also revealed that Zavala was born with spinal cord atrophy. However, Universal later reported in a message to Team Members that they had completed their own internal investigation and found that Stardust Racers “functioned as intended.”
Nonetheless, Orange County officials revealed the investigation into the incident is being carried out under Florida’s manslaughter statute.
The family of Zavala has since retained famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them, and have requested that the attraction remain closed until all investigations are complete.
In a press conference on September 30, Crump stated that Zavala’s spinal cord atrophy should not be considered the sole cause of his death, calling the idea “offensive and insulting.” He also noted that 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?”
Crump also mentioned there have been additional reports from other guests who rode Stardust Racers citing injuries, “The other people who were complaining, they were not disabled people, and yet they were having problems with being injured on this ride!”
Ben Crump on Stardust Racers Reopening
In a new statement reported by local news WESH 2, Crump has since addressed the reopening plans for Stardust Racers, saying, “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.”
Crump also noted that “Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation,” and added:
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.
Ben Crump
Zavala’s parents also issued a statement, saying, “By rushing to reopen this ride as if nothing happened, Universal is showing great disregard 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.”
As of the morning of October 4, Stardust Racers is still expected to be reopening sometime this afternoon. However, plans could change depending on local weather conditions, as the attraction is outside.
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