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Orange County, FL - A newly released incident report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office provides a detailed account of the events leading to the death of 32 year old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe.
According to the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office, his September 17th death was accidental and caused by multiple blunt impact injuries.
Witness statements described significant trauma as the ride returned to the station.
Dr Anna Marshall, a physician visiting the park, told investigators she responded after hearing calls for help.
She reported seeing Rodriguez Zavala slumped forward with extensive injuries while staff appeared unsure how to proceed.
Marshall said she climbed a fence to assess him and believed he was already unresponsive.
She also noted a visibly broken femur.
First responders stated the restraint could not be released for about ten minutes, delaying their ability to remove him from the ride vehicle.
They documented abnormalities in both legs and were told he used a wheelchair.
At Orlando Regional Medical Center, Rodriguez Zavala’s girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz Robles, said a ride employee pushed down on his lap bar multiple times before dispatch.
She recalled seeing him strike his head repeatedly moments into the ride.
She told deputies he had a spinal condition and took Baclofen.
Ride staff stated they followed proper procedures when securing his restraint and saw no signs of discomfort.
After reviewing all statements and findings, investigators closed the case with no criminal activity identified.