According to an Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) incident report (via WESH 2 NEWS), no criminal acts occurred in the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after he was found unresponsive on Stardust Racers at Universal’s Epic Universe.
OCSO said yesterday (via WESH 2 NEWS) that case has now been closed. Zavala’s death was ruled an accident. Let’s delve into details of the tragic incident in case you missed it.
Zavala died after being found unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers. The OCSO said off-duty deputies responded to a “man down” call at Universal’s Epic Universe.
Once deputies arrived at the scene, they found Zavala unresponsive. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Orange County Medical Examiner confirm that the death was accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injures
With that being said, let’s delve into the new details.
The final OCSO report says the scene was secured with crime scene tape and there were several plastic packages consistent with the remnants of medical intervention supplies.
A OCSO deputy was directed to the chair where Zavala and his girlfriend were positioned on the ride, which was the second to last pair of chairs on the roller coaster’s train.
Zavala’s wheelchair and transfer chair that used used for him to be seated on the roller coaster were found and photographed.
In a sworn statement, one Team Member said he instructed the attraction operators to release Zavala from the lap bar so he could be removed from the seat and CPR could be initiated.
Orange County Fire Rescue arrived on scene as ride operators were releasing the lap bar.
Another Team Member said Zavala had injuries on his face as well as a “significant amount of blood loss.”
Zavala’s girlfriend was riding Stardust Racers with him. In a sworn statement, she said, “Directly before the ride began, a Universal Team Member pushed down on Zavala’s restraint multiple times.”
She then said she remembers very little about what happened next but remembers seeing him hit his head on the seat multiple times.
OCO’s report (via WESH 2 NEWS) said the girlfriend “was visibly shaken, crying, and started having panic attacks while speak to deputies about the incident and was unable to write a statement herself.”
She went onto to say it approximately 2 to 3 attempts to get the safety bar to secure around Zavala. She believed he was secured in, but Zavala flew forward, striking his head multiple times on the first hill. She tried to hold him back, but couldn’t do so.
“She was crying for help, but due to being in the middle of the Stardust Racers no one heard her screaming for help until the train returned to the loading station. You can find out more about the tragic Stardust Racers incident 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 WESH 2 NEWS
JOIN OUR UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT – NEWS & TIPS FACEBOOK GROUP HERE!
 incident report (via WESH 2 NEWS), no criminal acts occurred in the death){kind=link}