US EditionUniversal altered report about roller coaster death after state agency intervened
Universal Orlando removed 'pre-existing conditions' from a fatality report after state agency intervention; the company must list or remove such causes, FDACS said.
- On Oct. 14, Universal Orlando removed the `pre-existing conditions` reference from Kevin Rodriguez Zavala's Q3 2025 fatality report after discussing it with a state employee, sending an altered document about 27 hours later.
- Florida law exempts large theme park operators from routine oversight, but under a memorandum of understanding they must self-report injuries causing more than 24 hours of hospitalization, FDACS said.
- The Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office found Zavala's death accidental, citing `multiple blunt impact injuries`, while witnesses described severe bleeding, a broken femur, and staff who appeared `frozen` as it took about 10 minutes to release the lap bar restraint.
- FDACS published altered incident reports on its website and sent three state amusement ride inspectors to Epic Universe; the inspectors observed testing but did not file reports or take photos, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office found no criminal charges warranted.
- With key records withheld by investigators, Benjamin Crump and Natalie Jackson questioned if posted warnings about `back, neck, or similar physical conditions` were clear at the Oct. 7 news conference.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Sun-Sentinel
‘Blood surrounding him’: Report details horrific Epic Universe death
As the Stardust Racers roller coaster sped downward in its first descent last September, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was flung forward, his head slamming into the seat in front of him repeatedly. Blood from his wounds splattered his girlfriend, who tried to hold him back while screaming for help. Dr. Anna Marshall, a vacationing medical doctor standing in line to board the Epic Universe ride, said that when the coaster returned and stopped, she heard…
Sheriff report: Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala's death ruled accident
A report released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office Dec. 11 details witness accounts of what happened to Kevin Rodriguez-Zavala when he rode and later died from his injures on EPIC Universe's roller coaster, Stardust Racers. The report details statement from deputies, ride operators and Rodriguez-Zavala's girlfriend who rode on the ride next to him.
Bay News 9
Spectrum News 13OCSO closes investigation into Epic Universe ride death
The death was ruled an accident.
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