The tragic death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala following a ride on a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort has been ruled accidental by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. This conclusion comes after an investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 17, 2023, and was confirmed by an official report released this week.
A medical examiner’s report detailed extensive injuries sustained by Zavala, including a deep gash on the left side of his forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, and multiple bruises across his abdomen and arms. The examination indicated that he died from blunt-impact injuries. The sheriff’s office investigation found that the staff at Epic Universe, the newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort, adhered to established safety protocols and were not negligent in their actions.
Security footage captured Zavala appearing “engaged and well” at the ride’s start, but he was later found unresponsive and slumped in his seat. Witnesses described a harrowing scene when the ride came to a halt—Zavala was bleeding from the face and his body was positioned awkwardly. Anna Marshall, a medical doctor present at the park, reported that Zavala was surrounded by blood and slumped over when the coaster returned to the boarding platform. His injuries included a broken thigh bone that was severely displaced.
Zavala, who used a wheelchair, was accompanied on the ride by his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles. She informed Marshall that Zavala had metal rods in his back from a prior spinal surgery. The investigation report noted that Marshall did not attribute his death solely to his disability, which his family described as spinal cord atrophy. They maintained that this condition did not lead to his fatal injuries.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Zavala suffered severe trauma as the ride progressed. Paramedic Sebastian Torres remarked that Zavala remained secured by a lap bar, which ride operators struggled to release for ten minutes following the incident.
Cruz-Robles indicated that the lap restraint was initially positioned too low on their laps, requiring an operator to adjust it multiple times before the ride commenced. She recounted that as the coaster launched downward, Zavala was propelled forward, striking his head against a metal bar. She attempted to hold him back during the ride, but her calls for assistance went unheard until the ride neared its conclusion.
The sheriff’s office report highlighted that warning signs were prominently displayed at the ride’s entrance, advising patrons against riding if they had pre-existing conditions, including back or neck issues or recent surgeries. Zavala’s parents revealed that he had undergone surgeries for a fractured thigh bone in 2020 and a hip dislocation in 2010, raising questions about his eligibility to ride.
The dual-launch coaster, which debuted in May 2023, reaches speeds up to 62 mph and is a key attraction at the recently opened Epic Universe. The investigation’s closure allows the park to continue operating, but it raises ongoing discussions surrounding safety measures for riders with disabilities. As of now, the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala continues to seek answers regarding the events that led to this tragic accident.
