New details emerged regarding the tragic death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, a Kissimmee man who passed away following a ride on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe on September 17. An autopsy report released by the Orange County Medical Examiner revealed that Zavala suffered multiple blunt impact injuries that led to his death.
The report outlined several serious injuries, including skin lacerations, contusions, a fracture of the left orbit, nasal cartilage damage, and significant trauma to the cervical spine, specifically a laceration of the C5-C6 intervertebral disk. Additionally, he sustained a fracture of the right femur.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigative report, Dr. Anna Marshall, a bystander at the park, came to Zavala’s aid shortly after the incident. She found him slumped over the safety restraint with a severely broken right leg.
Dr. David Sugar, an orthopedic specialist with nearly three decades of experience, reviewed the autopsy results and offered insights into the nature of Zavala’s injuries. He speculated that the femur fracture likely resulted from an external force acting on it, suggesting that Zavala’s body was propelled in a manner that caused the injury, potentially from a severe forward motion.
The injuries to Zavala’s neck indicated severe trauma: a tear in the protective covering around one of his cervical disks that caused bleeding near the spinal cord. Dr. Sugar noted that such damage typically requires a high-energy impact, similar to what might occur during extreme whiplash.
The investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office indicated that a green safety light was illuminated, confirming that Zavala was properly secured in his roller coaster seat prior to the ride’s start. Roller coaster installer Daniel Leavelle asserted that this suggests the ride operated as intended. He emphasized that the safety restraints used in the Stardust Racers have been tested on various roller coasters worldwide and are widely regarded as effective.
In a statement regarding the incident, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees theme park regulations in the state, noted that Universal Orlando had invited the department to monitor the investigation. They praised Universal for its transparency and cooperation but refrained from providing additional details, calling the event a tragic occurrence.
As the investigation continues, details surrounding this unfortunate incident remain under scrutiny, reflecting concerns over safety measures at amusement parks.
