Questions asked as man dies on Universal theme park roller coaster from 'blunt impact injuries'

A man who died after becoming unresponsive on a roller coaster at Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, has been named.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala is said to have become unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster on 17 September, before being taken to hospital where he later died.

The Orange County Medical Examiner says the 32-year-old died from 'multiple blunt impact injuries' and his death has been ruled as an accident.

At this moment in time, officials have not shared any details as to what happened on the roller coaster to lead to Zavala's death, with one expert saying the autopsy results raise more questions than answers.

Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services, branded the results 'pretty shocking.'

The man who died has been named. (Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"Was it the head or the chest? Was he banging around? Was he in his seat properly?" Speigel said, as per CNN. "Was it an accident caused by the ride or him doing something?"

Meanwhile, eyewitness Tommy Italiano told Fox 35 he had been in the queue for the Stardust Racers when the roller coaster returned with the Zavala, who was 'completely slouched over.'

"Out of nowhere, the attendant just started screaming at the top of his lungs, ‘everyone get out, get off the coaster!'" he said.

Italiano said a woman jumped over the queue fence to attend to Zavala, who was 'completely unresponsive', claiming he later found out the woman was a doctor, though this fact has not been verified.

The theme park visitor said no one had their mobile phones with them as any loose items like phones need to be secured in lockers before guests are allowed to ride, with visitors also needing to go through a metal detector.

Epic Universe opened in May 2025 (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Universal Orlando Resort)

A spokesperson for Universal Orlando Resorts said they were 'devastated' by the guest's death, and offered their condolences to his family.

"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," the statement, released on 18 September, read.

"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 Epic Universe, where the incident took place, only opened its doors to visitors in May of this year.