Kevin Rodriguez Zavala's family: We want better safety standards, not to tear down Universal, Stardust Racers
Attorney Ben Crump and the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the 32-year-old man who died after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, accused Universal Orlando on Monday of putting "profits over people" by reopening the ride weeks after Zavala's death.
Kevin Zavala's mom: We don't want Stardust Racers closed forever
The parents of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the 32-year-old man who died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe on Sept. 17, 2025, said they do not want the roller coaster to be closed forever, but believe Universal opened the ride to soon. They want the ride to remain closed while their investigative experts could look at the ride. Attorneys also alleged that Universal did not give the family a heads up before announcing that the ride would reopen.
Stardust Racers update: Epic Universe coaster prepared to open. What we know.
Universal Orlando is prepared to reopen its Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, slightly more than two weeks after the death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala.
Disney attendance plunges to all-time low for 2025 as visitors report 'ghost towns' at parks
Walt Disney World logged its slowest three-week stretch of the year in September, putting it on track to be the quietest month since 2021.
Epic Universe Stardust Racers death was not an 'isolated incident' and ‘entirely preventable,' Ben Crump says
It's been almost two weeks since 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala became unresponsive while on Epic Universe's Stardust Racers roller coaster and later died at the hospital. Since then, Ben Crump, the attorney representing the family of Zavala, said multiple other riders and witnesses have come forward to share similar experiences while riding the coaster.
Epic Universe lawsuit: Woman claims 'permanent injuries' after Stardust Racers ride
Days after a man died following a ride on Epic Universe's Stardust Racers dueling coaster, a woman has filed a lawsuit alleging that she suffered “permanent injuries" after riding the coaster earlier this year.
Epic Universe death: Kevin Rodriguez Zavala's parents talk
The parents of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala talked at a press conference alongside Attorney Ben Crump about the death of their son after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. Zavala became unresponsive on the ride and was taken to the hospital where he died. He died from "multiple blunt force injuries," the Medical Examiner said. His death was ruled an accident.
Epic Universe, Stardust Racers death: 'We have to know what happened,' Attorney Ben Crump
Attorneys representing the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the man who died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, remembered him as a "theme park enthusiast" and someone who lived a completely independent life.
Epic Universe death: Ben Crump press conference | FULL
Attorneys representing the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, the man who died after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, remembered him as a “theme park enthusiast” and someone who lived a completely independent life. Attorneys and family said that Zavala, who used a wheelchair and was born with a spinal injury, did not have a medical emergency and was not under any medical restrictions on the day that he and his girlfriend were at Epic Universe. The family wants a "full and transparent" investigation, and wants the ride shut down until those investigations are completed.
Epic Universe death: Attorney Ben Crump speaks
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon in Orlando. During the event, Crump spoke about who Zavala was and how tragic his death was.
