Authorities have released a final report on the death of a 32-year-old man who became unresponsive after riding a roller coaster in Florida.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando on Wednesday, Sept. 17. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
According to the Chief Medical Examiner for Orange and Osceola counties, an autopsy found that Kevin died from “multiple blunt impact injuries,” and his death was ruled an accident.
In a statement released on Thursday, Dec. 11, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation reached the same conclusion, determining that his death was accidental.
“Because it was determined that no criminal acts occurred in this case, this concludes the Orange County Sheriff’s Office role in this case,” the statement said.
The final report includes two interviews with Kevin’s girlfriend, who rode with him and said it took several attempts to get the safety bar secured around him.
As they boarded the ride, she “stated she observed the lap bar looked to be too low,” but the ride operator “continued to push on the lap bar… until it locked in place,” investigators wrote.
An employee who helped fasten the lap bar told investigators that they followed protocol and gave the bar “a small push” until the indicator showed “it was good for him to ride.” The employee said they then “visually re-checked the lap bar, per our procedures, and we were able to clear the train.”
Kevin’s girlfriend said she believed he was properly secured and did not notice “any signs of discomfort.” However, on the ride’s first drop, she reported that he “partially came out of his seat and hit his head on the metal bar in front of them,” according to the report.
“As the ride continued, Javiliz Cruz-Robles said he continually hit his head on the bar in front of them as the ride descended,” the report states.
She tried to hold him back but was unable to do so. Investigators wrote that she was “crying for help… due to being in the middle of the ride no one heard her screaming for help until the train cart was getting close to the station.”
Sworn statements from ride employees say that when staff realized what had happened, Kevin was still secured by the lap bar, but had visible facial injuries and a “significant amount of blood loss.”
Kevin’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Anne Zavala, told investigators that their son “was born with Spinal Cord Atrophy, specifically at his T2–T5 vertebra, which required surgeries throughout his life.” They said he used a wheelchair and had a “previous hip dislocation which required surgery,” as well as a past femur fracture.
In a second interview, Kevin’s girlfriend said she had “just learned” about his previous hip injury. She told investigators she was “guessing” that it “could have been the cause of him coming so far out of the seat.”
After reviewing all evidence, including witness statements, ride procedures, and medical findings, investigators concluded that park employees acted within established guidelines.
“Based upon the totality of the circumstances, with consideration of known, available evidence, to include sworn statements, video surveillance, the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office findings, the standard operating procedures provided by Epic Universe, this case was deemed an accidental death and was closed accordingly,” the sheriff’s office said.
Following Kevin’s death, his family retained attorney Ben Crump, who said an independent investigation would be conducted.
Loved ones remembered Kevin as a deeply caring and thoughtful person.
“Kevin was truly one of a kind. He had an old soul—wise beyond his years,” relatives wrote in a message on a GoFundMe page created for his family. “He was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice, and lift others up, even when he was facing challenges of his own.”
“As a son, he brought warmth and pride to our parents’ hearts. As a brother and uncle, he was a source of laughter, guidance, and unconditional love,” the tribute continued. “As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful, and always present. His presence lit up every room, and his absence leaves a space no one can fill.”
