UniversalParksBlog News for September 28th, 2025
We’ve got additional details on the Universal Epic Universe tragedy last week.
So, we’ll primarily discuss this incident in UniversalParksBlog News.
More Information about Stardust Racers
WESH
I’ve been covering theme parks for nearly 15 years now, but I’ve thankfully only had to discuss one previous death.
That one occurred at a water park, and the details were horrific in nature.
You can read the details here, but I’d encourage you not to doomscroll like that. It’s a sad story all around.
Last week, Epic Universe experienced a death as well. The details about this one aren’t as clear cut, though.
Universal
A disabled person suffering from paralysis boarded Stardust Racers.
When this individual reached the exit station, they were unconscious and severely wounded.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
People attempted to provide emergency medical care there and at the hospital.
Sadly, the person died due to blunt force trauma. Specifically, the coroner suggested “multiple blunt force injuries.”
Facebook: Kevin Rodriguez Zavala
We discussed this last week, and I included the statement from a Universal executive.
Since then, other writers at UniversalParksBlog have done an admirable job updating you on the latest details.
Universal
Another came through tonight, so I’ll go ahead and compile them all to bring you up to speed.
The Previous Injuries
We’ll start with an unrelated incident, although you’ll quickly understand why.
In the aftermath of this death, I mentioned that Stardust Racers had already registered two injuries.
Universal
The state of Florida requires theme parks to keep records of their accidents, which is what Universal did.
On two different occasions during the roller coaster’s first six weeks in operation, people suffered wellness issues on the ride.
Universal
One passed out, while the other experienced “visual disturbance/numbess [sic].”
I presume that’s a typo for “numbness,” as I can find no data about a medical condition named numbess.
Today Show
Since we want to be precise with our terms here, it’s important to note this is all the information the state releases.
Also, the state apparently doesn’t require injury reports before a theme park opens.
OC Register
I say this because a woman named Sandi Streets suffered an injury on Stardust Racers on April 30th.
That’s three weeks before the park officially debuted, with Streets attending as “a lawful business invitee.”
Universal
Streets sued Universal on or before Wednesday, September 24th, arguing the following.
While on Stardust Racers, her “head shook violently and slammed into the seat’s headrest throughout the ride.”
UO
UniversalParksBlog covered this the other day, but now there’s an update. Universal has settled.
According to WKMG, the lawsuit “has been settled days after it was filed, according to court records.”
Epic
That’s VERY unusual with lawsuits, as parties usually argue the merits of their cases for months, if not years.
Read into that what you will. What matters is that this isn’t one of the three previously known incidents.
Epic
We had previously learned about the incidents on the state’s MOU report and then the tragic death.
Now, we have information that Universal officials may have known the ride was a bit rough as early as April.
The Official State Confirmation
Obviously, an incident like this one will be investigated exhaustively to determine what transpired.
However, as mentioned last week, Universal quickly determined that “the ride systems functioned as intended.”
Universal
Even if you’re cynical and think, “Of course they’re going to say that!” the next report may change your perspective.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) have also commented.
Photo: Universal
The police ruled the death an accident, while FDACS, who is technically the reporting department on the case, stated:
“The department’s current findings align with those shared by Universal after monitoring the same tests and reviewing the same information.
Photo: Universal
“The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
So, FDACS mirrors Universal’s conclusion that everything on the ride worked as intended.
Photo: Universal
Obviously, that’s an odd argument to make after someone died on the attraction.
That’s why more investigations are ongoing and will continue until we learn what happened.
More Details about the Accident
Photo: Universal
Meanwhile, we received additional information from the victim’s family.
They hired attorney Ben Crump, who has previously worked on high-profile cases such as the deaths of George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and Breonna Taylor.
WESH
During a press conference, Crump confirmed several elements of the story while refuting a few rumors.
This was the victim’s first time riding Stardust Racers, and they had both legs.
Photo: NBCUniversal
I feel sick even saying that, but a viral rumor has confused the details of this incident with one from 2011.
So, if someone tells you those details, they have their facts wrong.
Photo: Universal
According to Crump, Universal Team Members assisted the victim in boarding the ride.
Notably, signs at the park indicate that a guest is responsible for their own boarding, but a kindness was shown here.
Photo: Comcast NBC Universal
That fact may or may not prove legally important at a later date. We must wait and see.
Crump has obviously heard some incorrect rumors as well, as he vented during the press conference:
Epic
“So, to try to suggest in any way that his death was his fault, it’s offensive. It’s offensive on any level.”
The attorney added the following: “Just because you say there were no malfunctions doesn’t mean there weren’t any safety issues.”
Stardust Racers remains offline while the investigation continues.
Please keep reading UniversalParksBlog for additional information as we receive it.
And I promise I’ll talk about the happiness of Halloween Horror Nights next time to help you do something other than doomscroll.
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Feature Photo: Universal
