A newly released investigative report has shed light on the final moments of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala before he died on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe theme park in Florida. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office document, made public on December 11, confirms that his girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, screamed repeatedly for help during the ride, but her cries went unheard by staff and other guests because the cart was in the middle of the track at the time.

Kevin was found unresponsive after the coaster completed its circuit on September 17, 2025. He was rushed to a local hospital and later pronounced dead. An autopsy conducted by the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt impact injuries, with the manner of death ruled accidental.

According to the supplemental report prepared by OCSO Deputy Tria Rojas, Cruz-Robles provided a detailed account of the events once she and Kevin reached the hospital. She told investigators that it took ride operators approximately two to three attempts to secure the lap bar restraint around Kevin before the coaster launched. She believed the bar was locked in place properly, but as soon as the ride began its first downhill plunge, Kevin flew forward and struck his head.

Cruz-Robles said she watched Kevin hit his head multiple times as the coaster continued through its high-speed layout. She attempted to hold him back and keep him in position, but the forces of the ride made it impossible for her to maintain control. While this was happening, she was crying out for help, according to the report. “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,” Deputy Rojas wrote, summarizing Cruz-Robles’ sworn statement.

A park guest who was waiting to board the next vehicle provided additional perspective. Dr. Anna Marshall, who identified herself as a physician, told deputies she heard someone screaming “Get me out!” from the direction of the ride. At first, Marshall assumed the person might have been struggling to breathe because of the intense motion of the coaster. She immediately informed nearby staff that she was a doctor and offered to assist in calming the individual down.

When Marshall approached the unloading platform after the cart returned, she saw Cruz-Robles with blood on her face. Kevin was completely slouched over in his seat, with blood surrounding him. “I couldn’t 100 percent be certain, but I was relatively confident at that point that he was lifeless,” Marshall stated in her account to investigators.

The final report includes statements from several Orange County Sheriff’s deputies, theme park employees, and other guests who were present at the Stardust Racers attraction that evening. It also references video surveillance footage reviewed by authorities, though specific details of the video are not described beyond confirming the sequence of events.

Kevin’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Anne Zavala, spoke with deputies at the hospital and provided background on their son’s medical history. They explained that Kevin was born with spinal cord atrophy, specifically affecting the T2 through T5 vertebrae, a condition that required multiple surgeries throughout his life and left him wheelchair-bound. He had also undergone surgery for a previous hip dislocation and had suffered a femur fracture in the past. Kevin was taking Baclofen, a muscle relaxant, at the time of the incident.

During a second interview with investigators, Cruz-Robles said she had only recently learned about Kevin’s prior hip injury and speculated that it may have contributed to him coming so far out of the seat during the ride’s initial drop. She was described as visibly shaken, crying, and experiencing panic attacks while speaking to deputies. She was unable to write her own statement because of her emotional state.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office concluded its investigation by determining that no criminal acts occurred and that all employees at Epic Universe followed their standard operating procedures. “It appeared that all employees of Epic Universe followed their Standards Operating Procedures and did not act in a careless or neglectful manner,” the report states. “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 Stardust Racers is one of the flagship attractions at Epic Universe, which opened earlier in 2025 as Universal Orlando’s latest expansion. The dueling roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 62 miles per hour and features a track more than 5,000 feet long with multiple launches, drops, and high-speed elements designed to deliver an intense thrill experience. Like many modern coasters, it relies on lap bar restraints that are manually checked and secured by operators before each dispatch.

Kevin was a lifelong fan of theme parks and roller coasters despite his physical challenges. Friends and family described him as someone who refused to let his spinal condition limit his pursuit of excitement and adventure. He lived in Kissimmee, Florida, and had visited Universal Orlando on previous occasions without incident. The September 17 ride was supposed to be a highlight of his visit to the new park.

Following the tragedy, Kevin’s family retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Crump has been involved in a number of high-profile cases involving theme park incidents and has advocated for greater transparency and accountability from park operators.

Attorney: Universal Stardust Racers coaster had history of complaints before man died

A GoFundMe page established in Kevin’s memory has received donations and messages of support from people across the country. The page describes him as “truly one of a kind,” noting that he had “an old soul — wise beyond his years.” It highlights his willingness to listen, offer advice, and lift others up even while facing his own health challenges. As a son, brother, uncle, and friend, Kevin is remembered for bringing warmth, laughter, guidance, and unconditional love to those around him. “His presence lit up every room, and his absence leaves a space no one can fill,” the family wrote.

The release of the final report has renewed public discussion about safety protocols for guests with disabilities or pre-existing medical conditions on high-intensity thrill rides. Theme parks across the United States have long maintained that they follow strict guidelines set by manufacturers and industry standards, including height, weight, and health restrictions posted at each attraction. However, enforcement often relies on self-reporting by guests and visual checks by ride operators.

In the weeks after Kevin’s death, Universal Orlando temporarily closed the Stardust Racers for a review of operations. When the ride reopened, the park reportedly updated its policies regarding guests with mobility limitations, though specific details of those changes were not included in the sheriff’s report. Industry observers note that similar adjustments have been made at other parks following past incidents involving medical emergencies or restraint failures.

Roller coasters like Stardust Racers are engineered with multiple redundant safety systems, including computer-monitored restraints, emergency brakes, and sensors that detect improper positioning. Lap bars are designed to accommodate a range of body types while allowing for the natural movement that occurs during high-G maneuvers. Still, medical experts point out that sudden loss of consciousness or involuntary shifts in posture can occur under extreme forces, particularly for riders with spinal or muscular conditions.

Kevin’s case is not the first time a roller coaster death has drawn national attention. Over the past decade, several incidents at major parks have involved guests who became ill or unresponsive mid-ride, leading to calls for improved pre-ride health screenings and more sophisticated restraint technology. Organizations such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions emphasize that the overall safety record of the industry remains strong, with millions of riders enjoying attractions each year without issue.

Nevertheless, the human element of this tragedy has resonated widely. Cruz-Robles’ account of trying to hold Kevin in place while screaming for assistance that never came underscores the helplessness that can set in during a fast-moving ride. Her blood-stained face and panic attacks in the immediate aftermath illustrate the lasting trauma experienced by those who survive such events.

Deputies who responded to the scene described a chaotic transition from the festive atmosphere of the theme park to an emergency medical response. First responders performed CPR on Kevin at the ride platform before transporting him to the hospital. Park staff followed established protocols for shutting down the attraction and assisting guests in the area.

The sheriff’s office report also notes that no mechanical failures were identified in the coaster itself. Maintenance records and operational logs reviewed as part of the investigation showed the ride was functioning normally before and after the incident. Video surveillance captured the boarding process, the securing of restraints, and the return of the cart, providing investigators with a visual record that aligned with witness statements.

Kevin’s parents expressed their grief to investigators while detailing the surgeries and ongoing care their son had required since birth. Spinal cord atrophy is a rare condition that affects nerve function and muscle control, often leading to mobility issues and the need for assistive devices such as wheelchairs. The family said Kevin had adapted well to his circumstances and had never let them stop him from participating in activities he loved, including amusement park visits.

Attorney Ben Crump’s involvement suggests the family may pursue civil action to seek further answers or changes in industry practices. Crump has previously represented families in cases involving theme park safety, arguing that operators have a heightened duty of care when designing and operating attractions that push the physical limits of the human body.

Public reaction to the report has been mixed. Some commenters online have questioned whether ride operators should receive additional training for recognizing signs of medical distress during boarding, especially for guests who disclose disabilities. Others defend the park, pointing out that millions of visitors ride similar coasters safely every season and that unforeseeable medical events can occur despite best efforts.

Universal Orlando has not issued a new public statement in response to the December 11 report, but the company has previously expressed condolences to Kevin’s family and emphasized its commitment to guest safety. Theme parks in the Orlando area collectively draw tens of millions of tourists annually, making incidents like this particularly impactful on public perception.

As the investigation has now closed with an accidental ruling, attention turns to what, if any, long-term lessons the industry will draw from the event. Safety advocates continue to push for clearer communication about health risks, more inclusive restraint designs, and better real-time monitoring systems that could alert operators to problems before a ride launches or while it is in motion.

For Kevin’s loved ones, the report provides some closure on the official cause of death but does little to ease the pain of losing a son, brother, and friend who approached life with determination and optimism. The GoFundMe tribute captures the essence of who he was: someone who made time for others, offered thoughtful advice, and brought light into every room. His story serves as a reminder that even carefully engineered thrill rides carry inherent risks, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.

The Stardust Racers continues to operate at Epic Universe, its cars filled with riders seeking the same rush that Kevin once enjoyed. Behind the screams of excitement, however, lies the memory of one passenger whose final ride ended in tragedy when the forces of physics overwhelmed his body’s ability to stay secured. The girlfriend who sat beside him, screaming for help that arrived too late, remains a central figure in the official record — her desperate efforts captured in sworn statements that now form part of the public account of what happened on that September evening.

Theme park safety regulations are overseen by state agencies in Florida, with additional oversight from ride manufacturers and voluntary industry standards. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigation focused primarily on whether any criminal negligence occurred, leaving civil liability questions for potential future proceedings. As of the report’s release, no lawsuits had been publicly filed by the family, though Crump’s involvement indicates they are exploring all options.

Experts in biomechanics and amusement ride engineering note that G-forces on coasters like Stardust Racers can reach levels that challenge even healthy riders, causing blood to shift rapidly and momentary blackouts in some cases. For someone with spinal cord atrophy and a history of hip issues, the risk of involuntary movement or loss of muscle control may be elevated, though parks generally rely on guests to self-assess their fitness for the ride.

Kevin’s death has prompted renewed conversations among disability advocates about accessibility and inclusion at theme parks. While many attractions offer accommodations for wheelchair users, high-speed coasters present unique challenges that cannot always be fully mitigated through restraints alone. Some parks have introduced companion ride programs or modified seating, but the balance between safety and enjoyment remains a complex issue.

In the broader context of Florida’s tourism economy, incidents at major attractions receive intense media scrutiny because they can influence visitor decisions. Orlando officials and park operators work closely to maintain high safety standards, conducting regular inspections and training thousands of employees each year. The fact that the sheriff’s office found no procedural violations in this case may reassure some, but the graphic details of blood on the cart and a lifeless passenger will likely linger in the minds of those who read the report.

Cruz-Robles’ experience — attempting to physically restrain her boyfriend while screaming into the wind and noise of a speeding coaster — highlights the isolation that riders can feel once a dispatch occurs. Modern coasters lack onboard communication systems for guests to alert operators mid-ride, relying instead on visual monitoring from control towers or emergency stop buttons that may not be accessible in every situation.

The final report spans dozens of pages and includes exhibits such as photographs of the ride platform, copies of standard operating procedures, and transcripts of interviews. It stands as the most comprehensive official document yet released about the incident, providing a factual foundation for anyone seeking to understand the sequence of events.

As families across the country plan visits to theme parks this holiday season and beyond, the story of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala serves as a sobering example of how quickly a day of entertainment can turn into tragedy. His parents, who watched their son overcome significant medical obstacles only to lose him on a ride he had looked forward to, now face the difficult task of moving forward while honoring his memory.

The GoFundMe page continues to accept donations to support funeral expenses and the family’s needs. Messages left by donors reflect the impact Kevin had on those who knew him, praising his kindness, resilience, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

With the sheriff’s investigation closed, the focus shifts to any potential civil proceedings and to the theme park industry’s ongoing efforts to refine safety measures. Whether this case leads to broader policy changes — such as mandatory medical disclosures, enhanced restraint technology, or real-time rider monitoring — remains to be seen. For now, the official record stands: an accidental death on a thrill ride, triggered by blunt force impacts after a rider with known medical conditions became unsecured during high-speed maneuvers.

The details released on December 11 have brought a measure of clarity to a heartbreaking event that unfolded under the bright lights of one of America’s most popular tourist destinations. Yet for Javiliz Cruz-Robles, the images of blood, the sound of her own unheard screams, and the final moments of holding onto Kevin will remain a permanent part of her life. The report may close one chapter of the official inquiry, but the personal stories of loss and resilience continue to resonate far beyond the pages of the document.