Newly released body camera footage has shed light on the tragic death of a 32-year-old man at Universal Studios Florida, revealing the disturbing aftermath of an incident that occurred on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe, part of the wider Universal Orlando Resort. The footage, obtained by News 6, shows police officers responding to a chaotic and emotional scene following the fatal ride incident last fall.
According to officials and witness accounts, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who was wheelchair-bound due to a previous spinal injury, was riding the roller coaster with his girlfriend on September 17 when he suddenly became unresponsive during the ride. Investigators reported that although he was securely fastened into his seat before the ride began, he passed out shortly after the coaster started moving at high speed.
The Stardust Racers roller coaster, known for reaching speeds of up to 62 mph across a 5,000-foot track, continued its course while Zavala was unconscious. Witnesses described a horrifying sequence in which his body appeared to move violently within the restraints as the ride progressed through drops and turns. His girlfriend later told police in the bodycam footage that she saw him lift from his seat and strike his head against parts of the ride structure.
“He kept hitting his head. I tried to hold him so he wouldn’t hit his head anymore,” she said tearfully in the recording. She described how she attempted repeatedly to stabilize him during the ride but was unable to prevent the impacts due to the speed and force of the roller coaster. “I saw him on the first drop. I saw him hit his head,” she added.
When the ride ended, emergency responders rushed to the scene and found Zavala unresponsive. Officers at the location described a distressing scene, with one witness recalling, “One of those ride carts—it’s just like blood,” as authorities worked to secure the area. Zavala was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, but he was later pronounced dead due to multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the medical examiner’s report.
The official report also noted that Zavala suffered severe facial trauma and significant blood loss. Witnesses present at the ride reportedly expressed shock and distress at the condition in which he was found after the roller coaster stopped.
Investigators reviewed ride safety procedures and determined that Universal Studios staff had followed all required protocols before and during the operation of the attraction. As a result, the death was later classified as an accident. However, the incident has raised renewed questions about ride safety for guests with pre-existing medical conditions and the adequacy of restraint systems on high-speed attractions.
Zavala’s death deeply affected his girlfriend, who recounted her desperate attempts to keep him safe during the ride. Her emotional testimony in the bodycam footage has since drawn public attention to the human impact of the tragedy, highlighting the trauma experienced by witnesses and loved ones.
Following the incident, the ride eventually reopened with updated guidelines and additional safety considerations, although officials have not publicly detailed all changes made. The case continues to prompt discussion about amusement park safety standards, emergency response procedures, and how theme parks assess rider fitness before allowing access to high-intensity attractions.
As the investigation concluded, authorities reiterated that no criminal wrongdoing was found. Still, the tragic loss of life at one of the world’s most visited entertainment destinations has left a lasting impact on both visitors and the broader theme park industry.
