Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers Reopens Today
Universal Orlando will reopen the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe today.
The decision comes less than three weeks after a 32-year-old guest, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, died on the attraction.
Stardust Racers Opens
Universal
Stardust Racers is a 133-foot-tall coaster that closed on September 17 after Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive in his restraint and later died at the hospital.
The Orange County Medical Examiner ruled his death accidental, citing multiple blunt impact injuries. Zavana also had a preexisting spinal injury, though its role remains unclear.
Universal
According to Universal, the ride was thoroughly inspected before reopening, and Universal Orlando Resort President Karen Irwin said the coaster “functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon return to the station.”
She shared the update with Universal Orlando Team Members. See the entire communications below:
The park worked with local officials, the State of Florida, and independent engineering experts during its review.
Attorneys and Family Respond
Attorneys Ben Crump and Natalie Jackson are representing Zavala’s family and have called for the ride to remain closed until all investigations are complete.
They argue that reopening the ride too soon shows disregard for safety and risks destroying potential evidence.
WESH
In a statement, the family said, “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.”
Attorney Crump added, “Reopening the ride before our experts can examine every component is unadulterated spoliation of evidence and a grave risk to public safety.”
Crump and the family are expected to hold another press conference on Monday.
Stay tuned and follow along with us at UniversalParksBlog so that you can stay updated on this and all things Universal.
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Article Source/ Feature Photo: Click Orlando news/Universal
