ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a 32-year-old man who tragically died on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe, is seeking answers following his death on September 17. At a press conference held on Tuesday, attorney Ben Crump shared that multiple individuals have come forward with their own alarming experiences related to the ride.
Among those contacting the Zavala family is a woman who reported losing consciousness and suffering neck and spine injuries soon after the roller coaster opened in May. This woman reached out through a GoFundMe page established for Zavala's family, expressing concern over her experience on the ride.
“All we want is answers regarding my son’s death,” Ana Zavala expressed through an interpreter, emphasizing the family's need for clarity to find peace amidst their grief.
The dual-launch coaster is known for reaching speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph) and officially opened with the theme park in May. Universal's president, Karen Irwin, stated in a communication to staff that internal investigations suggested all ride systems functioned normally at the time of the incident.
However, the controversy surrounding the ride has intensified following the death of Zavala, with Crump questioning the safety measures that Universal had in place. “It begs the question, what did Universal do about it?” he asked, citing the need for stronger government oversight in the safety measures of large corporations such as Universal and Disney.
A separate lawsuit has emerged from Sandi Streets, another woman who claims she suffered severe neck trauma on the same roller coaster, bringing further attention to possible safety concerns. Crump is calling on others who experienced injuries on the ride to contact his office, hoping to shed light on potential design flaws that endangered riders.
Additionally, since the park's opening, there have been additional reports of medical incidents linked to its attractions, including dizziness and abnormal states of consciousness reported by other visitors.
With the investigation still ongoing, the family continues to seek justice and transparency about the tragic events surrounding Zavala's untimely death.
