Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee died after being found unresponsive on Epic Universe's Stardust Racers roller coaster after riding it on Sept. 17. His family set up a GoFundMe to cover the funeral and memorial expenses.
Stardust Racers is a dueling coaster in Universal Epic Universe's Celestial Park. You never know which side will win.
Stardust Racers roller coaster features two tracks, yellow and green, that race each other through the cosmos. Universal's Epic Universe opened to the public on May 22, 2025. Visit universalorlando.com.

This story was updated to include Crump and the Rodriguez Zavala family's statements.

Universal Orlando's Stardust Racers is reopening at Epic Universe on Saturday, Oct. 4, a little over two weeks after a theme park guest died.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster after riding it late Sept. 17. In a letter sent to Universal team members that was shared with USA TODAY, resort president Karen Irwin first offered her condolences to Rodriguez's family and loved ones.

Irwin shared that their 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. They also added that 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," Irwin states. "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."

Irwin said safety is the top priority and, to further assist guests in determining whether they can or cannot ride an attraction, the park is "updating operational procedures and attraction signage to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides."

This comes days after the Rodriguez Zavala family and attorney Ben Crump held a press conference claiming that Universal Orlando missed "multiple warning signs" ahead of Rodriguez's death and added that they were aware that there were concerns about the ride's safety.

"The multiple Stardust Racers riders who have come forward to the family and our office lead us to believe that Kevin's case was not an isolated incident," Crump said on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

What happened to Kevin Rodriguez Zavala? What was the cause of death?

Rodriguez, 32, was visiting the park near Orlando and was found unresponsive on the roller coaster after riding it. In an incident report shared with USA TODAY Network-Florida on Friday afternoon, an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy responded to a medical emergency at the theme park at around 9:20 p.m.

In audio shared by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, a deputy at the scene told the OCSO communication center that they were responding to a guest (later identified as Rodriguez) who had a laceration and was "not breathing."

Universal Orlando Health Services and OCFRD were performing CPR on Rodriguez when deputies arrived. The OCSO said Rodriguez was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead at 10:05 p.m.

The Orange County Medical Examiner told USA TODAY on Thursday evening that "multiple blunt impact injuries" are the cause of death. It has been ruled an accident. The sheriff’s office incident report noted Rodriguez Zavala had a pre-existing spinal injury and was taking medication.

Attorney Natalie Jackson, co-director of litigation for Crump’s Central Florida office, said last week that, “our investigation so far has confirmed that Kevin suffered repeated head injuries during the ride and was unconscious for the majority of the duration of the ride.” They confirmed that Rodriguez had lacerations.

According to the family, they said multiple eye-witnesses described a chaotic scene with Rodriguez slumped over and blood everywhere. Many also claim that employees weren't helpful and seemed unprepared to address an emergency.

Crump said he has requested that Universal provide videos of the incident, but has been denied so far.

Has Crump, Rodriguez Zavala family addressed the ride reopening?

Crump and the Rodriguez Zavala family shared a statement to USA TODAY Florida on Oct. 3.

Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation. 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. 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,” said Crump.

Kevin’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Ana Zavala, said: “By rushing to reopen this ride as if nothing happened, Universal is showing great disrespect 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.”

What is Stardust Racers? Where is Stardust Racers located?

Stardust Racers is a dual-launch racing coaster located in the Celestial Park section of Epic Universe. It reaches speeds of 62 mph, rises to 133 feet in the air, and runs along 5,000 feet of track.

The beginning of the coaster features two powerful launches, with another one toward the end of the ride. The two tracks glide between each other many times throughout the ride, including during the "Celestial Spin."

How long has Stardust Racers been closed to the public?

The ride was closed after the incident on Sept. 17 and had not been reopened.

The family of Rodriguez Zavala requested that the attraction remain closed while they conduct a thorough investigation into what happened and ensure that this incident does not happen again. It is unknown if that investigation has been completed or not.

Universal settles a different lawsuit over Stardust Racers injuries

A notice of settlement and a notice of voluntary dismissal with prejudice as to the defendant were filed on Sept. 26 in a different lawsuit regarding Stardust Racers, WESH TV reported.

Sandi Streets filed a negligence lawsuit against Universal City Development Partners Ltd. on Sept. 24 in Orlando, seeking damages exceeding $50,000. The lawsuit alleged that she sustained an injury from riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster.

According to the complaint obtained by USA TODAY Network-Florida, Streets was invited to Epic Universe on April 30, weeks before it officially opened to the public on May 22. While on Stardust Racers, it says Street's “head shook violently and slammed into the seat’s headrest throughout the ride,” causing permanent injuries.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Universal to reopen Stardust Racers weeks after rider’s death

Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida / Florida Today

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect