ORLANDO, Fla. – Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump says the family of a man who died last month after riding Stardust Racers is continuing their call to close the roller coaster until they get answers.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died Sept. 17 after riding Stardust Racers, a 133-foot-tall roller coaster at Epic Universe, Universal Orlando’s newest theme park. He was pronounced dead at a hospital after being found unresponsive in his restraint. A medical examiner later determined Rodriguez Zavala suffered "multiple blunt impact injuries," as well as that his death was an accident.
Crump claimed Thursday in a news release that “the same restraint malfunction reportedly occurred again” within hours of the ride reopening on Saturday, adding the alleged malfunction “mirrors witness accounts and intake records from Kevin’s case showing that his lap bar failed to lock properly until a fourth, forceful attempt by a Universal ride operator.”
[WATCH: 911 call shows initial reaction to unresponsive Epic Universe guest who later died]
“Universal had publicly stated that the ride underwent ‘comprehensive reviews’ by its own inspectors, the manufacturer, state regulators, and a third-party engineer before reopening,” Crump wrote.
Thursday’s news release included the following statement that Crump said comes from Rodriguez Zavala’s parents:
Universal said the ride was safe, yet news reports show one of the same safety issues that my son experienced just happened again. That tells us nothing has been fixed. They reopened the ride before giving us answers, and the danger is still there. Every rider deserves to come home safe. Until this ride’s restraint system is proven safe and the truth about Kevin’s death is made public, it should not carry another passenger. Kevin’s blood is on Universal’s hands until they do right by him and all riders by closing Stardust Racers until we get answers.