The death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after riding a roller coaster at the Universal Epic Universe theme park has been ruled accidental by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation into the incident, which occurred on September 17, 2023, has concluded that park employees acted appropriately and followed safety protocols.
According to a report released by the sheriff’s office, a medical examination revealed significant injuries sustained by Zavala. He had a deep gash on the left side of his forehead and a fracture above his eye. The report detailed additional injuries, including bleeding on the skull, bruises on his abdomen and arms, and fractures to his nose and right thigh bone. The medical examiner determined that Zavala died from blunt-impact injuries.
Security footage indicated that Zavala appeared “engaged and well” at the start of the ride. However, he was later found unresponsive and slumped over in his seat. Witnesses reported that when the ride came to a stop, he was bleeding from the face, and his body was slumped over. Dr. Anna Marshall, who was in line for the ride, described the scene as chaotic, stating that Zavala was surrounded by blood, with his arm hanging over the side of the ride and his thigh bone visibly broken.
Zavala, who utilized a wheelchair, had a history of spinal surgeries, including the presence of metal rods in his back. His girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, informed Dr. Marshall of this condition after the ride. While the medical examiner had ruled the death an accident, the family contended that his disability, described as spinal cord atrophy, did not contribute to his death.
Witness accounts highlighted the moments leading up to the tragic incident. Cruz-Robles noted that a ride operator had difficulty securing Zavala’s lap bar prior to the ride, which she felt was positioned too low. When the coaster began its descent, Zavala reportedly flew forward, hitting his head on the metal bar in front of him multiple times. Cruz-Robles attempted to hold him back but was unsuccessful in preventing the injuries.
Dr. Marshall described the urgency of the situation as she rendered aid. Despite her efforts, Zavala was still secured in his seat, and ride operators struggled for approximately ten minutes to release him from the lap bar. The sheriff’s report included a statement from Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres, who noted the distressing condition in which Zavala was found: “The guest was stuck on the ride vehicle face down, falling out of his seat, with legs inverted.”
Safety signage at the entrance of the ride warned guests against participating if they had “back, neck or similar physical conditions,” or if they had undergone recent surgeries. Zavala himself had a history of significant injuries, including a thigh bone fracture that necessitated surgery in 2020 and a hip dislocation requiring surgical intervention in 2010.
The investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office concluded that there was no negligence on the part of the park staff. The coaster, which debuted in May 2023, reaches speeds up to 62 mph and is one of the main attractions at Universal Orlando Resort’s latest theme park.
As the family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala seeks to understand the circumstances surrounding his death, they continue to grapple with the loss and its impact on their lives.
