Universal Orlando is opening Stardust Racers at Epic Universe again after the recent tragic roller coaster death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala at the new Central Florida theme park.
The 133-foot-tall roller coaster with speeds up to 62 MPH along 5,000 feet of track will reportedly reopen on October 4th.
32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was killed on the ride and the medical examiner said he died from multiple blunt impact injuries while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe. An autopsy ruled his death an accident. But family attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson said the ride was deadly and that the incident was not isolated as he seeks a full investigation and the release of all related videos and reports. Crump has called for the attraction to remain closed during the investigation.
Universal Orlando says “an internal 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 procedure throughout.”
In a letter to Team Members from President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin that is circling, she said the Universal Orlando family continues “to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Rodriguez Zavala’s family and loved ones for their loss.” She called it a “heartbreaking event,” but she is confident it is time to open the attraction again.
“Our extensive review was conducted working closely with local officials, and the State of Florida observed the testing and reviewed the results,” the letter continued. “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.”
“This means we are prepared to reopen Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe on Saturday afternoon, October 4,” the letter stated.
The roller coaster attraction has been closed since September 17th.
“We won’t stop demanding answers for Kevin Rodriguez Zavala – who died from blunt force trauma after riding the coaster,” attorney Ben Crump posted.
“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,” attorney Natalie Jackson said previously.
Critics said Universal Orlando Resort is rushing the reopening of the attraction. They add that the reopening is an unadulterated spoliation of evidence, a risk to public safety, and puts profit over people’s lives. Crump is promising more legal action.
As a non-natural death, the Universal Epic Universe theme park death is being investigated under Florida’s manslaughter statute.
Here’s a copy of the letter from Universal Orlando Resort President Karen Irwin:
UniversalEpicUniverse_KarenIrwinStardustRacers1
