WKMG News 6 has learnt that Universal Orlando removed a reference to “pre-existing conditions” in a report about a guest’s death after a Florida government agency intervened. The established outlet learnt this during their investigation.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe. Zavala was transported to hospital but later succumb to his injuries.
Although the Orange County Medical Examiner determined Zavala died accidently from “multiple blunt impact injuries,” Universal Orlando executives and law enforcement investigations have not disclosed how he sustained those injuries.
Similarly, no one who had knowledge of the tragic incident had associated Zavala’s disability with his death until Universal Orlando noted “pre-existing conditions” in a report sent to a state agency.
WKMG News 6 has learnt that the company removed the words “pre-existing conditions” from the public report after discussing it with a state employee.
Details from the changed report were ultimately published on government website for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
“We inquired with Universal [Orlando] about the inclusion of ‘pre-exisiting conditions’ and they determined to submit an updated report,” a spokesperson for FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson told WKMG News 6.
A paralegal in Universal Orlando’s risk management department sent FDACS the company’s recent quarterly report via email in October, WKMG News 6-obtained documents show.
“Please find [the] attached the reportable ride incidents for Universal Orlando from Q3 2025,” the email to WKMG News 6 stated. The spreadsheet (see below) lists six reported injuries linked to Universal Orlando attractions:
As you can see in the above spreadsheet, the death of Zavala is listed. “Fatality (pre-existing conditions)” the report stated in description of the incident.
According to WKMG News 6, those three words were the “first known instance” of Universal Orlando publicly associating Zavala’s death with pre-existing medical conditions.
Universal Orlando submitted the report to FDACS on the 14th October, 2025, almost one month after Zavala’s death and ten days after Stardust Racers reopened.
27 hours later, WKMG News 6-obtained records reveal Universal Orlando sent a second, altered document to the state agency.
“This is the report we intend to submit for Universal Orlando for Q3 2025,” a litigation manager in Universal Orlando’s risk management department wrote in an email.
The spreadsheet attached to the email was almost identical to the one sent the previous day, but the reference to Zacala’s “pre-existing conditions” had been removed from the document.
Universal Orlando representatives did not respond to WKMG News 6’s questions asking why the original report was altered and sent to the state.
A spokesperson for FDACS told WKMG News 6 they did not have any concerns about the original report.
“The company either needed to list the pre-existing condition ore move the cause,” FDACS communications director Aaron Keller. “Universal has been extremely apparent with the department,” Keller added.
Stay tuned as this is a developing story. You can find out more about the tragic Stardust Racers incident involving Zavala in the links below:
- Guest Found Unresponsive After Riding Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe Dies [Update]
- Aerial Video Shows Forensic Team Investigating Death of Guest After Riding Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe
- Multiple Blunt Impact Injuries Ruled Cause of Death for Guest Found Unresponsive on Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe
- VIDEO: Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe Cycling Two Days After Death of Guest Found Unresponsive After Riding
- “Everyone Get Out!”: Eyewitness Heard When Stardust Racers Train With Unresponsive Guest Returned to Loading Station
- FOX 35 ORLANDO REPORT: Incident report, dispatch audio released in Epic Universe rider’s death
- Dispatch Audio After Guest Riding Stardust Racers Found Unresponsive Emerges Online
- Famous Civil Rights Attorney to Represent Family of Guest Who Died After Being Found Unresponsive on Stardust Racers [Update]
- Video Appears to Show Unresponsive Guest on Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe [Update]
- Famous Civil Rights Attorney Demands Accountability from Universal’s Epic Universe After Guest Died from Multiple Blunt Impact Injuries
- Guest Injured on Stardust Racers Said Someone Was Going to Get Severely Injured or Killed Riding It
- Famous Civil Rights Attorney Demands Universal Orlando Pause Reopening of Stardust Racers
- “There Was Blood Everywhere”: Alleged Eyewitness Riding Says When Stardust Racers Train With Kevin Rodriguez Zavala Onboard Returned to Loading Station
- Famous Civil Rights Attorney Slams Decision to Reopen Stardust Racers Following Guest’s Death
- “Head Laceration, Heavy Bleeding”: 911 Call Reveals Moments After Guest Found Unresponsive on Stardust Racers
- Family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala Once Again Demands Closure of Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe
- Guests Pretending to be Unresponsive on Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe, Team Members Panicked
- “There Are No Responsive Records”: State Ride Inspectors Wrote No Reports After Stardust Racers Death (Agency “Indicates”)
- Mack Rides CEO Addresses Fatal Stardust Racers Incident at Universal’s Epic Universe
EXTRA
- PHOTO: Boom Lift and “Construction Lights” Spotted Near Stardust Racers Track at Universal’s Epic Universe
- Woman Claims She Was Injured on Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe
- Guest’s Lawsuit Over Stardust Racers Injuries Voluntary Dismissed After Settlement Agreed
- WATCH: Section of Stardust Racers Track Sways at Universal’s Epic Universe (Normal & “Designed to Sway”)
Stay tuned to Orlando Theme Park Zone for more Orlando theme park-related news and information.
H/T WKMG News 6
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