Orange County authorities have identified the guest who died after riding a roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe as 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. Deputies said they found Zavala inside the Stardust Racers ride on Wednesday night; he was taken to a hospital and later died. An autopsy performed Thursday morning by Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany, M.D., for Orange and Osceola counties listed the cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and the death was ruled an accident.
What happened on the ride
Park officials and witnesses say the incident occurred after Zavala rode Stardust Racers, the dueling/dual-launch coaster in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park. Universal reported that the guest became unresponsive after the ride and was transported to an area hospital, where he subsequently died. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and Universal says it is cooperating with authorities.
Witness account of the response
A witness who was waiting in line described a chaotic scene when the affected vehicle returned to the station. The witness reported that a ride attendant began shouting for everyone to exit immediately, and that Zavala appeared “slouched over” in his restraints and unresponsive. Another guest — reported by the witness to be a doctor who jumped the queue fence — tried to provide aid. Park procedures prohibit loose items on Stardust Racers, and riders must secure belongings in lockers and pass through metal detectors; the witness noted that no one had cell phones with them at the time because of these rules.
Stardust Racers: the attraction
Stardust Racers is one of Epic Universe’s headline thrill rides. Universal describes it as a dual-launch coaster that sends guests racing across about 5,000 feet of track, reaching heights of roughly 133 feet and top speeds near 62 mph. The ride features an inverted crisscross element — marketed in-park as the “Celestial Spin” — and was among the most anticipated attractions when Epic Universe opened in late May 2025.
Prior reports and safety context
State and park reporting show previous medical occurrences on Stardust Racers. Universal’s own injury reports for the early part of 2025 list two earlier incidents on the attraction: on June 22 a 63-year-old man reported dizziness/altered consciousness and on June 24 a 47-year-old woman reported visual disturbance and numbness; Universal noted both guests had preexisting conditions. State filings and quarterly injury disclosures place responsibility for inspections and formal reporting under a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding in which major parks perform internal inspections and self-report incidents to state regulators.
Park response and attraction status
Universal temporarily closed Stardust Racers after the incident and has since kept the attraction closed indefinitely while investigators work. In its public statement, the park said it was “devastated” by the loss and extended sympathies to Zavala’s loved ones, adding that it would cooperate fully with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
What remains under investigation
Authorities have released key factual findings — the guest’s identity, that he became unresponsive after the ride, and the medical examiner’s determination of multiple blunt impact injuries — but the full sequence of events that led to those injuries remains under review. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and other investigators will examine ride operations, restraint performance, video and witness testimony, and maintenance and inspection records to determine whether any mechanical failure, procedural lapse, medical event, or other factor contributed to the fatal outcome.
For visitors and the public
Epic Universe celebrated its grand opening on May 22, 2025, and the park continues to draw attention as investigators complete their work. Universal has emphasized cooperation with authorities and expressed condolences. The Stardust Racers closure remains in effect, and officials have not announced a timeline for reopening.
