ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Multiple people have reached out with related stories to the family of a 32-year-old man who died of blunt force injuries two weeks ago while riding the new Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, the attorney for the man’s family said Tuesday.
Since Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died on September 17, a woman who experienced severe injuries on the coaster after it opened in May contacted his family, seeking to share her story. At a news conference held by the family's attorney, Ben Crump, she recounted losing consciousness and suffering neck and spine injuries as a result of her experience on the ride.
“All we want is answers regarding my son’s death,” Zavala’s mother, Ana Zavala, expressed through an interpreter. “It is extremely difficult losing a son and we do not wish this pain on anyone.”
The dual-launch coaster reaches speeds of up to 62 mph and debuted in May with the opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park.
Universal Orlando Resort representatives did not respond to inquiries, as legal and safety repercussions surrounding the incident continue to unfold. A woman previously sued Universal over injuries allegedly sustained on the same roller coaster.
The fallout of Zavala's death extends to increased scrutiny over the operational safety of large amusement parks. Crump indicated that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' findings aligned with Universal’s claim that ride systems functioned normally at the time of the tragic incident.
Zavala’s family argues that his existing spinal disability was not responsible for the accident, raising serious communication and operational protocols at amusement parks like Universal. Crump questions what steps Universal took after previous reports of injury on the ride.
“She warned them that someone was going to be seriously injured, or worse, killed,” Crump said, signaling potential negligence on the part of Universal. The attorney has called for greater government oversight due to operators being exempt from state safety inspections, a regulation that smaller venues and fairs must adhere to in Florida.
“We believe there were warning signs that there was something wrong with the design of this ride and that they tried to blame the victims,” Crump concluded, as Zavala's tragic incident echoes the concerns of other injured riders. The family's pursuit for answers continues alongside calls for accountability within the amusement industry.
