A man is dead after riding one of Orlando’s newest and fastest roller coasters, and now his family is asking: How many safeguards stand between thrill and tragedy at Florida’s theme parks?

Florida allows Universal Orlando and other major attractions to operate rides with minimal state oversight. It’s a system the family’s attorneys and some industry critics say leaves too much for the companies to police themselves and puts others at risk.

Universal Orlando scheduled the Stardust Racers roller coaster reopening for Saturday, less than three weeks after 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on it and died. That decision, apparently made by park management itself, overrode the family’s wishes that it remain closed until all investigations are completed.

“Stardust Racer

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