The latest Florida theme park injury report includes the guest who died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe.
Theme Park Injury Report
Major Florida theme parks are required to self-report guest injuries to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which then publishes a quarterly report of the incidents. The most recent update is for the 3rd quarter of 2025, which includes incidents from August to October. It was updated on October 15.
Universal Orlando Incidents
On September 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala passed away from “multiple blunt impact injuries” after riding Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe. This incident is listed on the report as “Stardust Racers, 32 yom, fatality”.
Zavala’s family hired civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, whose firm is asking anyone who experienced issues or injuries on Stardust Racers to share their stories. They have allegedly received several stories already, including one from another guest who passed out on the ride.
In the 2nd quarter of 2025, prior to Zavala’s death, Universal reported two incidents of guests with pre-existing conditions experiencing issues on Stardust Racers. In September, 49-year-old Sandi Streets sued Universal over injuries allegedly sustained on Stardust Racers during the ride’s previews. Universal settled with Streets in just a few days.
Crump’s team said they are communicating with state and local officials about creating greater government oversight regarding theme parks self-reporting injuries.
Stardust Racers reopened two weeks after Zavala’s death, which his family and Crump condemned.
The Stardust Racers fatality is not the only Universal Orlando Resort incident listed for this quarter. Below are the other reported injuries and illnesses:
- 7/5/25: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, 40yof, altered level of consciousness (pre-existing condition)
- 7/22/25: The Incredible Hulk, 66yom, chest pain (pre-existing condition)
- 8/4/25: Krakatau Aqua Coster, 38yof, neck pain
- 8/20/25: The Incredible Hulk Coaster, 56yom, headache
- 8/24/25: Revenge of the Mummy, 32yof, neck pain/motion sickness
- 9/29/25: Hogwarts Express, 78yof, dizziness
Walt Disney World Incidents
There were also incidents at Walt Disney World, including two head injuries at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
On July 29, a 56-year-old woman “was struck on the head by another guest while experiencing” the water park’s wave pool. On August 12, a 44-year-old woman “fell and struck her head” while exiting Miss Adventure Falls.
Disney only reported two other incidents. On September 1, a 50-year-old male “felt chest pain” after exiting Toy Story Mania at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And on September 24, a 77-year-old woman “fell while exiting” Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “injuring her ankle.”
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