Update 4:15pm : Dr. Joshua Stephany, chief medical examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt impact injuries, ruling the death as accidental.
— 3:30pm —
Orlando, FL – Thursday, September 18 — A 32-year-old guest, identified by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office as Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, died after becoming unresponsive following a ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park on Wednesday night, September 17, 2025.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported, “On September 17, 2025, off-duty deputies responded to a man down call at Epic Universe. A man in his 30s was found unresponsive after riding a roller coaster and was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. It’s very early in the investigation and we have no further information for release at this time.”
Universal Studios confirmed that Zavala became unresponsive “after” riding the Stardust Racers, a thrill ride located in the park’s Celestial Park. The guest was found in the coaster, transported to a nearby hospital, and later pronounced dead. Universal stated, “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones,” adding that the park is fully cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in the ongoing investigation.
The Stardust Racers, a shooting star-themed roller coaster, reaches a height of approximately 133 feet with 5,000 feet of track and features an inverted crisscross maneuver. The attraction has been closed until further notice.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances of Zavala’s death, with no additional details released at this time. The incident has deeply affected the Epic Universe community as officials and park staff support the investigation and the family impacted by this tragedy.
— Initial Report 5am —
Orlando, FL – September 18, 2025 — A guest at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe theme park died after becoming unresponsive on the Stardust Racers ride on Wednesday night.
Universal Orlando Resort issued a statement to Eye In The Sky News confirming the incident and its cooperation with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in the ongoing investigation. The guest was transported to a hospital following the incident and was pronounced deceased. The Stardust Racers attraction has been closed pending the investigation.
Epic Universe, located at Universal Orlando Resort, opened to the public on May 22, 2025, and has been operational for three months and twenty-seven days. Eight deaths have been reported at Universal theme parks since 1986, according to Wikipedia and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Statement from Universal spokesperson:
Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night. The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died. We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest’s loved ones. We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation. The attraction remains closed.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Source: Universal Orlando Resort
