Accidental Death Confirmed at Universal Orlando Resort Roller Coaster

The tragic death of a 32-year-old man, following a ride on a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, has been ruled accidental, as confirmed by a recent report from the Florida sheriff’s office.

A medical examiner’s report released on Friday detailed the severe injuries sustained by Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. The report indicated a deep gash on the left side of his forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, and multiple bruises on his abdomen and arms. Additionally, Zavala suffered fractures to his nose and right thigh bone.

Previously, the Orlando medical examiner had classified Zavala’s death as an accident, attributing it to blunt-impact injuries. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation concluded that Epic Universe staff adhered to safety protocols and were not negligent in their duties.

Epic Universe is the latest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort, and security footage captured Zavala appearing “engaged and well” at the beginning of the ride. However, by the end, he was found unresponsive and slumped over in his seat.

Witnesses reported that when the ride halted, Zavala was bleeding from his face, with his body in a slumped position. Dr. Anna Marshall, who was in line to board the ride, described the scene as alarming, noting that Zavala was surrounded by blood and that his arm was hanging over the ride. His thigh bone was reportedly broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair.

Zavala, who used a wheelchair, had a history of spinal surgery, as shared by his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, during the incident. Dr. Marshall expressed her belief that Zavala’s disability was not the sole factor in the tragic outcome.

His family clarified that the spinal cord atrophy condition leading to his disability did not contribute to his death on September 17. The media office for attorney Ben Crump, representing Zavala’s family, did not respond to inquiries regarding the sheriff’s office report.

Upon stopping the ride, Zavala exhibited severe facial trauma and remained secured in his seat by a lap bar, which operators struggled to release for ten minutes, according to Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres. He described Zavala as being “stuck on the ride vehicle face down, falling out of his seat, with legs inverted.”

Cruz-Robles recounted that a ride operator had to repeatedly adjust Zavala’s lap restraint before it was securely in place. She expressed concern that the restraint bar was positioned too low. During the initial descent of the coaster, Zavala reportedly flew forward and struck his head on the metal bar in front of them, sustaining multiple impacts throughout the ride. Despite her efforts, Cruz-Robles was unable to hold him back.

“Javiliz was crying for help, but due to being in the middle of the ride, no one heard her until the train cart approached the station,” the report noted.

Warning signs at the ride’s entrance informed patrons of sudden drops and accelerations, advising against participation for individuals with certain medical conditions, including “back, neck or similar physical conditions,” or those who had undergone recent surgeries.

Zavala’s parents revealed that he had previously fractured a thigh bone requiring surgery in 2020 and had undergone surgery for a hip dislocation in 2010.

The dual-launch coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph), officially opened to the public in May as part of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park.

Photo: The roller coaster at one of Universal’s amusement parks. (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The tragic death of a 32-year-old man, following a ride on a high-speed roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, has been ruled accidental, as confirmed by a recent report from the Florida sheriff’s office.

A medical examiner’s report released on Friday detailed the severe injuries sustained by Kevin Rodriguez Zavala. The report indicated a deep gash on the left side of his forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, and multiple bruises on his abdomen and arms. Additionally, Zavala suffered fractures to his nose and right thigh bone.

Previously, the Orlando medical examiner had classified Zavala’s death as an accident, attributing it to blunt-impact injuries. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation concluded that Epic Universe staff adhered to safety protocols and were not negligent in their duties.

Epic Universe is the latest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort, and security footage captured Zavala appearing “engaged and well” at the beginning of the ride. However, by the end, he was found unresponsive and slumped over in his seat.

Witnesses reported that when the ride halted, Zavala was bleeding from his face, with his body in a slumped position. Dr. Anna Marshall, who was in line to board the ride, described the scene as alarming, noting that Zavala was surrounded by blood and that his arm was hanging over the ride. His thigh bone was reportedly broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair.

Zavala, who used a wheelchair, had a history of spinal surgery, as shared by his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, during the incident. Dr. Marshall expressed her belief that Zavala’s disability was not the sole factor in the tragic outcome.

His family clarified that the spinal cord atrophy condition leading to his disability did not contribute to his death on September 17. The media office for attorney Ben Crump, representing Zavala’s family, did not respond to inquiries regarding the sheriff’s office report.

Upon stopping the ride, Zavala exhibited severe facial trauma and remained secured in his seat by a lap bar, which operators struggled to release for ten minutes, according to Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres. He described Zavala as being “stuck on the ride vehicle face down, falling out of his seat, with legs inverted.”

Cruz-Robles recounted that a ride operator had to repeatedly adjust Zavala’s lap restraint before it was securely in place. She expressed concern that the restraint bar was positioned too low. During the initial descent of the coaster, Zavala reportedly flew forward and struck his head on the metal bar in front of them, sustaining multiple impacts throughout the ride. Despite her efforts, Cruz-Robles was unable to hold him back.

“Javiliz was crying for help, but due to being in the middle of the ride, no one heard her until the train cart approached the station,” the report noted.

Warning signs at the ride’s entrance informed patrons of sudden drops and accelerations, advising against participation for individuals with certain medical conditions, including “back, neck or similar physical conditions,” or those who had undergone recent surgeries.

Zavala’s parents revealed that he had previously fractured a thigh bone requiring surgery in 2020 and had undergone surgery for a hip dislocation in 2010.

The dual-launch coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph), officially opened to the public in May as part of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park.

Photo: The roller coaster at one of Universal’s amusement parks. (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.