ORLANDO, Fla. – The Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe is set to reopen on Saturday, less than three weeks after the death of a guest who rode it, according to a letter sent to staff by Universal Orlando’s president.
The 133-foot-tall roller coaster has been closed since Sept. 17, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died at a hospital after being found unresponsive in his restraint.
A medical examiner determined Rodriguez Zavala suffered "multiple blunt impact injuries," as well as that his death was an accident.
An incident report obtained by News 6 states Rodriguez Zavala had a “preexisting spinal injury,” though it’s unclear whether that contributed to the accident. According to the Epic Universe safety guide, Stardust Racers is “not for guests with back, neck or similar physical conditions.”
The family’s legal team, which includes attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson, have said they would demand autopsy results, footage from the ride and more as it conducts an independent investigation. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating Zavala’s death.
“The family is asking for two things,” Jackson said last week. “They’re asking for a full and transparent investigation into how this happened, and they are asking for the Stardust Racer ride to remain shut down until all investigations are complete and they fully understand what was involved, and what preventative methods are being taken to prevent this from ever happening again to anybody else’s child.”
Zavala’s parents released a statement on Friday in response to the decision.
“By rushing to reopen this ride as if nothing happened, Universal is showing great disregard for Kevin’s life, our family’s pain, and the safety of every rider who steps onto that coaster. We are horrified that Universal would put the ride back into operation so quickly,” said Zavala’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Ana Zavala.
In a letter to staff, Universal Orlando Resort President Karen Irwin wrote that Stardust Racers was functioning as intended prior to Rodriguez Zavala’s death.
[VIDEO: Universal Orlando Resort president says Stardust Racers at Epic Universe functioned ‘as intended’ before guest’s death]
In a new internal letter released Friday, Irwin extended her condolences to Rodriguez Zavala’s loved ones and announced that Stardust Racers would reopen Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4.
“As I previously indicated, our comprehensive technical and operational review confirmed the ride systems functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures throughout,” Irwin wrote. “Our extensive review was conducted working closely with local officials, and the State of Florida observed the testing and reviewed the results. In addition, the ride system manufacturer of record and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing and validated our findings. I am thankful for their participation throughout this important process.”
Attorney Benjamin Crump released the following statement to News 6 in response:
“Stardust Racers is evidence in an active death investigation. Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a grave risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives. Universal reportedly told employees the ride functioned as intended. If that is accurate, then the design itself is deadly. We are demanding that Universal pause the reopening, preserve all evidence, and allow our experts to inspect it. If they refuse, we will address Universal’s callous actions in court.”
Crump is expected to hold a news conference with Zavala’s family again on Monday.
Read Irwin’s latest letter below: