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People
people.com › roller-coaster-ceo-addresses-fatal-incident-on-universal-epic-universe-ride-they-built-11852973
Roller Coaster CEO Addresses Fatal Incident on Universal Epic Universe Ride They Built
November 19, 2025 - Christian Von Elverfeldt, the CEO ... awaiting details on what happened on the ride that led to the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala....
Discussions

Man who died after ride at Epic Universe was 'fully independent,' lawyer says
Being chair-bound doesn’t mean you aren’t “independent”. But independence with activities of daily living also has nothing to do with the ability to withstand a ride of high speed and force when a spinal cord injury or problem is present. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/UniversalOrlando
304
261
September 24, 2025
[Stardust Racers] at [Epic Universe] tragic incident
That's horrible. Doesn't sound like anything happened with the ride itself so I'm guessing some kind of preexisting condition? Either way, sad to hear. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/rollercoasters
209
343
September 18, 2025
Guest dies, became unresponsive after riding new Universal Epic Universe theme park roller coaster
I assume it wasn't due to an accident, must've had some pre-existing condition or medical issue. That's sad, he was only in his 30s More on reddit.com
🌐 r/popculturechat
109
353
September 18, 2025
No words, just fully shocked
Usually with these cases it's a pre-existing condition aggravated by the intensity of the ride. My guess anyway. EDIT: This comment was made when the story was breaking and the Cause of Death had not been released. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/UniversalOrlando
586
2712
September 18, 2025
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CBS News
cbsnews.com › moneywatch › lawyers for man who died after riding roller coaster discuss cause of death
Disability played no role in man's death after riding Universal roller coaster, lawyers say - CBS News
September 25, 2025 - The medical examiner for the Orlando area ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries and said the manner of death was an accident. At a news conference in Orlando, the lawyers also took issue with a top Universal executive last weekend saying in a note to employees that "internal findings" showed the ride worked as it should have.
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The Independent
the-independent.com › news › world › americas
Universal Studios seeks new patents to improve safety after man died on ride
1 month ago - The technology is designed to detect problems before and during ride operation, and comes following the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala at the Epic Universe park in Orlando on September 17.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/universalorlando › man who died after ride at epic universe was 'fully independent,' lawyer says
Man who died after ride at Epic Universe was 'fully independent,' lawyer says : r/UniversalOrlando
September 24, 2025 - Taking all of that into account, you can put two and two together and work out that the guy simply wanted to ride but should not have done due to his medical conditions, and that tragically resulted in his death. A sniveling lawyer has simply approached the family and told them they can get money out of Universal by taking this further than it realistically should go and now said lawyer is going to say anything and everything they can to drum up sympathy for their case.
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USA Today
usatoday.com › story › travel › experience › theme-parks › 2025 › 09 › 18 › universal-epic-universe-guest-died-stardust-racers-coaster › 86151460007
Cause of death revealed for Universal Epic Universe guest found unresponsive after ride
September 18, 2025 - According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on Stardust Racers and transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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WESH
wesh.com › article › ceo-addresses-fatal-incident-universal-epic-universe › 69476241
Mack Rides CEO addresses fatal incident on roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe
November 18, 2025 - IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THE TRAGEDY AT UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE. 32 YEAR OLD KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA DIED FROM MULTIPLE BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES IN SEPTEMBER AFTER RIDING THE STARDUST ROLLER COASTER.
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ABC News
abcnews.go.com › US › visitor-dies-after-becoming-unresponsive-roller-coaster-universals › story
Visitor dies after becoming unresponsive on roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe - ABC News
September 19, 2025 - A visitor at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park in Florida became unresponsive in the middle of a roller coaster ride and later died at the hospital. officials said.
Find elsewhere
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CNN
cnn.com › 2025 › 10 › 04 › us › epic-universe-stardust-racers-reopening
Universal Orlando Resort to reopen Stardust Racers ride 2 weeks after man’s death | CNN
October 4, 2025 - The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala publicly had urged Universal not to reopen the ride until all investigations were finished and they had a better understanding of how he died.
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Blooloop
blooloop.com › home › news
Universal reopens Stardust Racers at Epic Universe after man's death
October 6, 2025 - Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after he became unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers coaster on 17 September, authorities and park officials confirmed at the time. Zavala's cause of death was multiple blunt impact injuries, according ...
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Orlando Sentinel
orlandosentinel.com › 2025 › 10 › 06 › new-report-details-paramedics-response-to-epic-universe-riders-death
New report details paramedics' response to Epic Universe rider's death
October 7, 2025 - An incident report obtained Monday by the Orlando Sentinel details paramedics’ response after Kevin Rodriguez Zavala lost consciousness while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s new Epic Universe theme ...
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Fox Business
foxbusiness.com › entertainment › attorneys-say-roller-coaster-had-pattern-safety-failures-prior-riders-death-not-isolated-incident
Family claims Universal missed warning signs before ride death | Fox Business
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after becoming unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando, Fla., Sept.
Published   October 2, 2025
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SFGATE
sfgate.com › travel › article › after-stardust-racers-death-more-injured-parties-21073597.php
After rider dies on Epic Universe's Stardust Racers, family speaks out
October 2, 2025 - 17, 2025, Zavala lost consciousness while riding Stardust Racers at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park, which just opened in May of this year. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead there.
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Yahoo!
yahoo.com › news › articles › ben-crump-family-man-died-173254303.html
Ben Crump, family of man who died on Epic Universe ride says decision to reopen it was 'disrespectful'
October 6, 2025 - 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 ...
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Florida Today
floridatoday.com › story › news › 2025 › 09 › 19 › stardust-racers-epic-universe-death › 86236547007
Epic Universe Stardust Racers death. What we know Friday
September 19, 2025 - A state investigation is underway after a Kissimmee, Florida, man died from accidental injuries he suffered while riding on Stardust Racers at Epic Universe.
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AP News
apnews.com › article › florida-universal-orlando-resort-epic-universe-death-0125e3dda4dd5c14a4202e922423dba2
Family's attorney questions Universal's response to roller coaster injuries after man's death
September 30, 2025 - And it begs the question, what ... photo of the Epic Universe roller coaster during a press conference with the family of Kevin Zavala in downtown Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Sept....
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WESH
wesh.com › article › medical-expert-weighs-in-investigation-death-epic-universe-guest › 67954682
Medical expert weighs in on investigation into death of Epic Universe guest
September 19, 2025 - TWO OFF DUTY DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A MAN DOWN CALL AT THE RIDE, AND THEY FOUND KEVIN RODRIGUEZ. ZAVALA UNCONSCIOUS. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S REPORT SAYS THE 32 YEAR OLD MAN FROM KISSIMMEE DIED OF ACCIDENTAL MULTIPLE BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES.
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ClickOrlando
clickorlando.com › news › local › 2025 › 10 › 02 › new-incident-report-reveals-orange-county-fire-rescues-response-to-guest-who-died-after-riding-stardust-racers
New incident report reveals Orange County Fire Rescue’s response to guest who died after riding Stardust Racers
October 3, 2025 - – An incident report released Thursday is shedding light on Orange County Fire Rescue’s response the day a 32-year-old man died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. The patient, identified as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, ...
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Carrier Management
carriermanagement.com › news › 2025 › 10 › 06 › 280142.htm
Florida Roller Coaster Complaints Prompt Questions About Universal's Response After Death - Carrier Management
October 6, 2025 - Multiple people have reached out with related stories to the family of a 32-year-old man who died of blunt force injuries two weeks ago while riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, the attorney ...