Death on Universal’s Epic Universe Coaster Ruled Accidental After Investigation Closes

The death of 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after riding a high-speed roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe has been ruled accidental, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has closed its investigation, according to a report released this week.

Medical Findings and Injuries

The medical examiner’s report, released Friday, recorded severe blunt-impact injuries: a deep gash on the left side of Zavala’s forehead, a fractured bony ridge above his eye, bleeding above the skull, bruising on the abdomen and arms, a fractured nose, and a broken right thigh bone. The Orlando medical examiner attributed the cause of death to blunt-impact trauma and classified it as accidental.

Investigation and Ride Operations

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office review found that Epic Universe staff followed procedures and were not careless or neglectful. Security video showed Zavala was “engaged and well” at the start of the ride but unresponsive and slumped over in his seat when the train returned to the platform.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses said Zavala was bleeding from the face and slumped over when the ride stopped. Dr. Anna Marshall, who was waiting in line and rendered aid, described him as slouched and surrounded by blood, with an arm hanging over the ride and the fractured thigh bone resting on the back of the seat.

Zavala’s girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, told investigators that a ride operator had to push Zavala’s lap restraint down several times before boarding and that she thought the restraint sat too low on their laps. She said on the coaster’s first downward movement Zavala was thrown forward and struck his head on a metal bar, hitting his head multiple times during the ride. Cruz-Robles said she cried for help but could not be heard until the train neared the station.

Restraint Issues and Emergency Response

Universal paramedic Sebastian Torres told investigators that ride operators had difficulty releasing the lap restraint after the train stopped; the restraint could not be released for about 10 minutes while Zavala remained secured in the seat and was described as face down and falling out of his seat with his legs inverted.

Medical Background and Warnings

Zavala used a wheelchair and, according to his girlfriend and family, had prior spinal surgery with metal rods in his back and a disability described by the family as spinal cord atrophy. His parents also reported a prior thigh fracture requiring surgery in 2020 and a 2010 hip dislocation that required surgery. The family and their attorney, Ben Crump, have disputed that Zavala’s condition caused the fatal injuries; Crump’s media office did not respond to an emailed request for comment about the sheriff’s report.

The sheriff’s report noted warning signs at the ride entrance advising guests about sudden drops and accelerations and recommending that people with certain conditions—such as back or neck problems—or recent surgeries should not ride.

Ride Details

The dual-launch coaster reaches speeds up to 62 mph (100 kph) and officially debuted in May when Epic Universe opened to the public.

Note: The investigation is closed and official findings attribute the cause of death to blunt-impact injuries. Questions from the family and their legal team regarding contributing factors and restraint positioning remain part of public and legal discussion.