The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the 32-year-old Kissimmee man who died in September after riding Universal Orlando’s Stardust Racers at its new Epic Universe theme park, has reached a settlement with the resort, according to the family’s attorney.
Civil rights and personal injury lawyer Ben Crump released a brief statement on Saturday announcing that an “amicable resolution” had been finalized between Zavala’s family and Universal. The settlement’s terms, including whether the family received financial compensation, remain confidential.
Crump said, “The family is grateful for the community’s support and asks for privacy at this time.”
What Happened?
Zavala used a wheelchair due to a lifelong spinal condition. He visited Epic Universe on September 17 and was boarded onto the new high-speed coaster Stardust Racers. Stardust Racers is a high-speed coaster that climbs as high as 133 feet and reaches speeds up to 62 mph.
It was during his ride on Stardust Racers that he faced severe trauma that led to his death.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Zavala was violently thrown forward during the ride, striking his head repeatedly on the seat in front of him. When the coaster returned to the station, he was unconscious, bleeding, and suffering from a broken leg. He was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. His death was officially ruled accidental.
Zavala’s family told investigators he was an avid theme park and coaster fan. He and his girlfriend had already ridden two other coasters at Epic Universe earlier that day, and security footage reviewed by deputies showed him appearing alert and engaged as the ride launched.
Questions Raised About Coaster Safety
Crump and his legal team initially questioned the coaster’s design, focusing on the fact that Stardust Racers uses only lap belts rather than over-the-shoulder restraints. Zavala’s girlfriend told investigators she worried that the lap bar sat too low on his body to properly secure him.
Universal, however, has maintained that the attraction operated normally. In an internal memo to employees, Universal Orlando Resort President Karen Irwin stated that the company’s investigation found the coaster’s systems “functioned as intended,” all equipment remained intact, and staff followed safety procedures correctly.
Ride Reopened With Updated Warnings
Stardust Racers closed temporarily after the incident and reopened on October 4 with updated procedures and signage. Universal reinforced restrictions tied to “physical eligibility requirements,” particularly for guests with mobility disabilities. The park noted that while it will continue using “transfer devices” to help guests board the ride, those using wheelchairs must be able to walk independently to ride.
The sheriff’s report did not identify the exact cause of the accident, and Universal has not commented publicly on the investigative findings.
Zavala’s death marked the first fatality reported at Epic Universe, which opened in May. The tragedy sparked widespread concern among Florida theme park fans, especially given the coaster’s high speeds and innovative dual-track design.
Hopefully, this type of incident doesn’t happen again.
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Source: The Orlando Sentinel
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