Fatal Roller Coaster Incident at Epic Universe Raises Safety Questions
A tragic accident at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park has left the community reeling after a 32-year-old man died following a ride on the park’s high-speed coaster, Stardust Racers. The incident occurred on September 17, 2025, and has prompted an investigation into ride safety and medical protocols.
The guest, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers, a dual-track coaster known for its intense launches and synchronized racing elements. He was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead.
Universal immediately closed the ride and issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming cooperation with authorities.
According to Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany, Zavala died from multiple blunt impact injuries, and the death was ruled accidental. The exact nature of the injuries remains unclear, raising questions about whether the ride’s design or a medical condition played a role.
Industry experts say the findings are unusual and warrant further investigation into the ride’s restraint systems and operational procedures.
Epic Universe opened in May 2025 and is Florida’s first major theme park addition in over two decades. While large parks like Universal conduct their own safety inspections, they must report serious incidents to state regulators.
Since opening, Epic Universe has logged three safety reports, including dizziness and chest pain on various attractions.
Universal has not provided a timeline for reopening Stardust Racers, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala has sparked renewed scrutiny of theme park safety protocols, especially for high-speed thrill rides. As Epic Universe continues to draw crowds, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of guest health screening, ride engineering, and emergency preparedness.
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