Man who died after ride at Epic Universe was ‘fully independent,’ lawyer says

BREAKING NEWS. I JUST DON’T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE. AND I JUST WANT HIM TO BE OKAY. WE ARE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM A HEARTBROKEN FAMILY AFTER THEIR LOVED ONE DIED RIDING A ROLLER COASTER AT EPIC UNIVERSE ONE WEEK AGO. KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE ON STARDUST RACERS AND LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL. TODAY, WESH TWO WAS THE ONLY LOCAL NEWS STATION TO SIT DOWN WITH HIS PARENTS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR SON’S DEATH. THE FAMILY FIGHTING BACK TEARS AS THEY TOLD US MORE ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN WHO THEY DESCRIBED AS A THEME PARK ENTHUSIAST. THE ATTORNEYS ALSO DEMANDED ANSWERS IN THE HOPES OF PREVENTING ANOTHER TRAGEDY. YOU’LL HEAR CHRISTINA WATKINS INTERVIEW WITH THE FAMILY IN JUST A MOMENT. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JUSTIN SCHECKER IS ALSO BREAKING DOWN THEIR ATTORNEY’S IMPASSIONED PLEA FOR ANSWERS. AND WHERE THIS INVESTIGATION COULD GO FROM HERE. WE BEGIN WITH WESH TWO STEWART MOORE LEADING OUR TEAM COVERAGE RIGHT OUTSIDE EPIC UNIVERSE. DUE. JESSE AND MICHELLE. AS YOU ALL MENTIONED, HIS FAMILY SAYS THAT HE WAS FULLY INDEPENDENT. TODAY WE HEARD FROM HIS PARENTS, FROM HIS BROTHER, AND FROM HIS SISTER, AND THEY SAY THAT HE LOVED THEME PARKS. HE WAS A THEME PARK ENTHUSIAST. BUT WE ALSO HEARD FROM HIS ATTORNEYS, BEN CRUMP AND NATALIE JACKSON, WHO SAY THAT THEY WANT THIS RIDE TO REMAIN SHUT DOWN UNTIL AN INVESTIGATION IS FULLY COMPLETE. NOW, KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA WAS RIDING STARDUST RACERS LAST WEDNESDAY WHEN HE WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS AND LATER DIED. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER RULED HIS DEATH ACCIDENTAL AFTER MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE INJURIES. THE FAMILY’S ATTORNEY SAY HE HIT HIS HEAD MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE RIDE. AFTER A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT WE BROUGHT YOU LIVE RIGHT HERE ON WESH TWO THIS AFTERNOON. KEVIN’S FAMILY SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH OUR OWN WESH TWO CHRISTINA WATKINS. SHE JOINS US LIVE FROM THE HOTEL WHERE THE FAMILY SPOKE EARLIER TODAY. CHRISTINA, IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL DAY FOR THIS FAMILY AS THEY HAD TO GIVE THE DETAILS ABOUT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER’S DEATH. AND THEY HELD BACK TEARS SO THEY COULD GET THOSE WORDS OUT. BUT DURING OUR ONE ON ONE, I WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHO THEIR SON WAS TO THEM. KEVIN RODRIGUEZ, ZAVALA’S PARENTS TOLD ME HE WAS AN INCREDIBLE SON WHO HAD NO LIMITS. THEY SAID HE WAS AN ANGEL WHO HELPED ANYONE WHO NEEDED HIM. AND THEY EMPHASIZED HOW LIFE WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITH HIM GONE. I THANK GOD FOR THE AMAZING PERSON HE WAS. YES. AND HOW MUCH HE’S GOING TO BE MISSED. IT’S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE THIS CENTRAL FLORIDA FAMILY LOST A BELOVED BROTHER, SON, UNCLE AND FRIEND. HIS BIRTHDAY WAS ONLY TWO DAYS BEFORE MINE. BIRTHDAYS ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE THE SAME. LOVED ONES DESCRIBED 32 YEAR-OLD KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA AS HAVING AN OLD SOUL. SOMEONE WHO CARED ABOUT THOSE AROUND HIM. BUT HIS BIGGEST PASSION, FAMILY SAYS, WAS GAMING AND GOING TO THEME PARKS. HE USED TO LOVE DISNEY LIKE STAR WARS. EPCOT, ALL THE THEME PARKS. HIS LOVE FOR THE THRILLS TRAGICALLY ENDED ONE WEEK AGO AFTER HE VISITED UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE. HIS SISTER REFLECTED ON WHAT ENDED UP BEING THEIR FINAL CONVERSATION. HE HAD JUST CALLED ME ON VIDEO THAT SAME MORNING IN A ONE ON ONE, THE 32 YEAR OLD’S PARENTS TELL WESH TWO. EVEN THOUGH THEIR SON WAS BORN WITH A SPINAL INJURY AND USED A WHEELCHAIR, IT NEVER STOPPED HIM FROM GREATNESS. THEY SAID HE WAS COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, A SO-CALLED ROLLER COASTER FREAK. AND NOW ALL THEY WANT ARE ANSWERS FROM WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN UNEXPECTED, TRAGIC ENDING. WE’RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS TRYING TO STOP THAT THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TO ANOTHER FAMILY. BECAUSE I DON’T WANT ANY OTHER FAMILY TO TO FEEL WHAT WE’RE HAVING RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, PREVENT THAT. KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA WAS ON THAT RIDE WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, AND I’M TOLD WE SHOULD HEAR FROM HER ABOUT HER ACCOUNT SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. IN THE MEANTIME, HIS PARENTS INVITE EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WANTS TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT, TO SAY THEIR FINAL GOODBYES TO KEVIN. THAT IS SET TO HAPPEN THIS FRIDAY IN KISSIMMEE. WE WILL POST THE ADDRESS ON OUR WEBSITE WESH.COM. STU, BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT CHRISTINA, THANK YOU. AND KEVIN RODRIGUEZ’S FAMILY WANTS STARDUST RACERS TO REMAIN SHUT DOWN AS THIS INVESTIGATION UNFOLDS UNTIL THEY FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR LOVED ONE. WESH INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER JUSTIN SCHECKER CONTINUES OUR TEAM COVERAGE WITH MORE ON WHAT THE FAMILY HAD TO SAY. HE’S LIVE OUTSIDE OF EPIC UNIVERSE FOR US. JUSTIN, WHAT’S THE LATEST? WELL, STU, WE KNOW UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORTS PRESIDENT SAYS STARDUST RACERS FUNCTION AS INTENDED FROM START TO FINISH. BUT ATTORNEY BEN CRUMP SAYS THAT DOESN’T MEAN THERE WEREN’T ANY ISSUES WITH THE RESTRAINT MEANT TO KEEP KEVIN SAFE. WHILE KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA USED A WHEELCHAIR BECAUSE OF A SPINAL CONDITION. HIS FAMILY’S ATTORNEY, BEN CRUMP, SAYS THE 32 YEAR-OLD MAN DID NOT HAVE ANY MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HIM FROM RIDING STARDUST RACERS AND MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA IS NOT A PREEXISTING INJURY. THE MULTIPLE BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA CAME FROM HIM HITTING AGAINST THE METAL ON THIS RIDE. THAT IS WHAT KILLED KEVIN. ATTORNEY CRUMP IS DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON THE THRILL COASTER AT EPIC UNIVERSE. WE WILL FIND OUT MORE. WHEN UNIVERSAL IS TRANSPARENT TO LET US SEE VIDEO. LET OUR EXPERTS EXAMINE THE RIDE ITSELF. ATTORNEYS FROM THE CRUMP LAW FIRM SAY THEY’VE SPOKEN WITH FIVE WITNESSES. THAT INCLUDES KEVIN’S GIRLFRIEND, WHO THE ATTORNEYS SAY WAS SEATED NEXT TO HIM IN THE SECOND TO LAST ROW. HE GOT ON THE RIDE EXPECTING TO HAVE A JOYOUS EXPERIENCE. THE ATTORNEYS SAY WITNESSES TOLD THEM KEVIN HAD REPEATED HEAD INJURIES. HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE RIDE AND HE WAS COMPLETELY SLOUCHED OVER THE RESTRAINT. SAFETY IS MORE THAN WHETHER A MACHINE IS BROKEN. IF A RIDE’S RESTRAINT FAILS TO PROPERLY PROTECT A RIDER, THEN THAT IS A SAFETY FAILURE. AS THEY SEARCH FOR ANSWERS, THE ATTORNEYS HAVE ASSEMBLED A TEAM OF DESIGN, OPERATIONS, MANUFACTURING AND SAFETY EXPERTS. AND I REACHED OUT TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO FOR COMMENT ABOUT THIS AFTERNOON’S PRESS CONFERENCE, BUT HAVE NOT YET HEARD BACK. UNIVERSAL HAS SAID IT IS FULLY COOPERATING WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATION AND THE CRUMP LAW FIRM. ATTORNEYS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING TO SPEAK WITH COUNSEL FOR UNIVERSAL THIS AFTERNOON. STU. ALL RIGHT, JUSTIN, THANK YOU. AND RIGHT NOW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES IS TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS INVESTIGATION, AS IS STANDARD FOR ANY INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN AT AMUSEMENT PARKS. THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. JUST LAST WEEK, STATE INVESTIGATORS SAID THEY AGREED WITH UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORTS FINDINGS THAT THE RIDE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA WAS RIDING IT. RIDE RIDES LIKE STARDUST RACERS UNDERGO 80 HOURS. AS WE TOLD YOU BEFORE, OF CONSECUTIVE TESTING, ITS REQUIREMENT THAT RIDE TECHNICIANS SAY IS IMPOSED BY EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR THE PARK, NOT THE STATE. NOW, MOST NEW ROLLER COASTERS ARE ALSO HIGH TECH, WITH REAL TIME DATA TRACKING, SO RIDE WORKERS KNOW EXACTLY AND INSTANTLY IF SOMETHING IS GOING WRONG INJURIES, LET ALONE DEATHS AT OUR THEME PARKS ARE EXTREMELY RARE, AS WE HAVE HARDLY EVER HAD TO REPORT ON THEM. THE MOST RECENT REPORT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THAT CAME OUT ON JULY 15TH, AND IS THE FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT TO BE RELEASED, INCLUDING EPIC UNIVERSE. IT SHOWS FROM APRIL TO JULY, 12 INJURIES WERE REPORTED AT ALL OF OUR THEME PARKS. SEVEN WERE REPORTED AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO PARKS. OF THOSE, THREE WERE DOCUMENTED AT EPIC, ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE PARK OPENED ON JUNE 22ND, A 63 YEAR OLD BECAME DIZZY WHILE ON STARDUST RACERS. HE HAD A PREEXISTING CONDITION. TWO DAYS LATER, THE STATE REPORTED A 47 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO ALSO HAD A PREEXISTING CONDITION REPORTED EXPERIENCING SOME SORT OF VISUAL DISTURBANCE OR NUMBNESS ON THE SAME RIDE AND ON HICCUP’S WING GLIDERS. A 32 YEAR OLD MAN WHO DID NOT HAVE ANY PREEXISTING ISSUES, SAID THAT HE FELT SOME CHEST PAIN. SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE REPORT STATES, UNIVERSAL HAD TEN REPORTED INJURIES. DISNEY ALSO HAD TEN. SEAWORLD REPORTED THREE INJURIES LEGOLAND AND BUSCH GARDENS IN TAMPA BOTH HAD ZERO. NOW, AS WE HEARD IN TODAY’S NEWS CONFERENCE, KEVIN WAS A THEME PARK ENTHUSIAST AND DID NOT LET HIS DISABILITY STOP HIM FROM LIVING HIS LIFE TO THE FULLEST. WE LOOKED INTO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO’S GUIDE FOR SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR OTHERS, JUST LIKE KEVIN UNIVERSAL SAYS, THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO USE WHEELCHAIRS AT EACH ATTRACTION. IN ALL CASES, THE GUIDE SAYS, ANYONE USING A WHEELCHAIR CAN RIDE. IF YOU CAN TRANSFER TO THE ATTRACTION SEATING EITHER BY YOURSELF OR BY THE HELP WITH SOMEONE ELSE. NOW THIS IS A LOOK AT THE ATTRACTIONS DESIGN AT EPIC UNIVERSE TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE MOVING FROM THEIR WHEELCHAIR TO THE RIDE VEHICLE. YOU CAN SEE IT INCLUDES STARDUST RACERS AS WELL AS OTHER COASTERS AT THE PARK, INCLUDING MARIO KART BOWSER’S CHALLENGE AND MINECART MADNESS. WESH TWO WAS THE FIRST TO BRING YOU THIS STORY WHEN IT BROKE JUST A WEEK AGO, AND WE’VE BEEN ON TOP OF THE LATEST ELEMENTS EVER SINCE. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE WESH TWO NEWS MOBILE APP SO YOU STAY ON TOP OF ANY BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS CASE. AND OF COURSE, REMEMBER OUR LIVE TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES COMING UP TONIGHT, BUT FOR NOW, WE

Man who died after ride at Epic Universe was ‘fully independent’ and a ‘theme park enthusiast,’ family says

Updated: 10:05 PM EDT Sep 24, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The man who died after he was found unresponsive on an Epic Universe thrill ride last week was described as a theme park enthusiast who was fully independent despite a spinal cord injury and use of a wheelchair. >> Video above: WESH 2 was the only local TV station to sit down with the victim’s familyIn a news conference Wednesday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said, “we have to know what happened,” to Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.The 32-year-old was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Universal Orlando officials.The medical examiner confirmed that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries.”No medical emergency, he was just fine,” Crump said about Rodriguez Zavala the night he got on the ride. Crump says the family must know what happened to Rodriguez Zavala. He insists Rodriguez Zavala’s spinal condition had nothing to do with his death. Crump added Rodriguez Zavala was able to drive and had a bachelor’s degree. Rodriguez Zavala’s mother said she never put any limits on her son, that he was a very happy person and they often teased him as a “roller coaster freak,” she said in Spanish. Rodriguez Zavala’s girlfriend had gotten the tickets and worked for Universal Orlando Resort. His sister also spoke on Wednesday, calling her brother “an old soul” through tears. She added the two shared birthdays two days apart. “I just want him to be OK,” she said. Rodriguez Zavala’s brother said the two had plans to play video games later that night. Funeral services have been planned for Friday at San Juan Funeral Home in Kissimmee. The community is invited. Additional details will be released soon. ‘Ride systems functioned as intended’WESH 2 has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Universal Orlando Team Members after the man’s death. In the letter, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said, “Our hearts are with our Guest’s family and loved ones, and with all of you who have been impacted by the tragic loss.”Irwin continues stating that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.Initial findings from state investigators align with Universal. ‘One of a kind’They described him as “truly one of a kind” with an “old soul” and a heart full of compassion, love and understanding.His family said he was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice and lift others up, even when facing his own challenges.”As a son, he brought warmth and pride to our parents’ hearts. As a brother and uncle, he was a source of laughter, guidance, and unconditional love. As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful, and always present,” his family said.To honor Rodriguez Zavala’s life, his family has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

The man who died after he was found unresponsive on an Epic Universe thrill ride last week was described as a theme park enthusiast who was fully independent despite a spinal cord injury and use of a wheelchair.

>> Video above: WESH 2 was the only local TV station to sit down with the victim’s family

In a news conference Wednesday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said, “we have to know what happened,” to Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.

The 32-year-old was found unresponsive on the Stardust Racers roller coaster and later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Universal Orlando officials.

The medical examiner confirmed that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries.

“No medical emergency, he was just fine,” Crump said about Rodriguez Zavala the night he got on the ride.

Crump says the family must know what happened to Rodriguez Zavala. He insists Rodriguez Zavala’s spinal condition had nothing to do with his death.

Crump added Rodriguez Zavala was able to drive and had a bachelor’s degree.

Rodriguez Zavala’s mother said she never put any limits on her son, that he was a very happy person and they often teased him as a “roller coaster freak,” she said in Spanish.

Rodriguez Zavala’s girlfriend had gotten the tickets and worked for Universal Orlando Resort.

His sister also spoke on Wednesday, calling her brother “an old soul” through tears. She added the two shared birthdays two days apart.

“I just want him to be OK,” she said.

Rodriguez Zavala’s brother said the two had plans to play video games later that night.

Funeral services have been planned for Friday at San Juan Funeral Home in Kissimmee. The community is invited. Additional details will be released soon.

‘Ride systems functioned as intended’

This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

WESH 2 has obtained a copy of a letter sent to Universal Orlando Team Members after the man’s death.

In the letter, President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort Karen Irwin said, “Our hearts are with our Guest’s family and loved ones, and with all of you who have been impacted by the tragic loss.”

Irwin continues stating that internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station.

Initial findings from state investigators align with Universal.

‘One of a kind’

They described him as “truly one of a kind” with an “old soul” and a heart full of compassion, love and understanding.

His family said he was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice and lift others up, even when facing his own challenges.

“As a son, he brought warmth and pride to our parents’ hearts. As a brother and uncle, he was a source of laughter, guidance, and unconditional love. As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful, and always present,” his family said.

To honor Rodriguez Zavala’s life, his family has started a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and memorial expenses.

This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.