Universal Epic Universe sets Stardust Racers reopening date weeks after roller coaster death

Universal Epic Universe has set the reopening date for its Stardust Racers roller coaster, weeks after a 32-year-old man, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, died while riding the new attraction.

According to an internal company email obtained by Entertainment Weekly, the Universal Orlando family extends "our deepest sympathy and condolences" to the deceased's family, while praising the team's "professionalism, compassion, and care" in the resulting investigation into Zavala's death.

The email, from resort boss Karen Irwin, notes that "our comprehensive technical and operational review" of Stardust Racers "confirmed the ride systems functioned properly throughout the boarding process, the duration of the ride, and upon the ride vehicle's return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures throughout."

Investigations were conducted with local officials and government figures, while the "ride system manufacturer of record and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert" also performed examinations, the email continues.

After it was revealed in a police report obtained by EW that Zavala's girlfriend of 10 years revealed that Zavala, who was in a wheelchair, had a pre-existing spinal condition, the Universal email indicates that it will update "operational procedures and attraction signage to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements" at the roller coaster and other attractions at the resort.

"This means we are prepared to reopen Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe on Saturday afternoon, October 4," the email continues.

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In a prior statement to EW, Joshua Stephany, Orange and Osceola County's chief medical examiner, listed Zavala's Sept. 17 cause of death as "multiple blunt impact injuries" and that "the manner of death is accident."

In a follow-up memo provided to EW by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 19, a spokesperson said that no 911 calls were received for the incident, as riders are not allowed to take cell phones to the ride’s platform or on the attraction itself.

They also provided EW with a police report and non-emergency radio and phone recordings from the day of the incident. In the recordings, an individual is heard telling another that Zavala had "lacerations" upon returning to the ride's station, with CPR being performed by multiple people before Zavala was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, and later pronounced dead.

"Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night," the Universal Orlando Resort said in a statement to EW at the time.

In subsequent internal correspondence additionally obtained by EW on Sept. 22, Irwin said that "few moments have been as difficult as this one" in her 35-year tenure with the company.

"The attraction remains closed as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process in cooperation with the ride manufacturer of record," Irwin said, referencing Mack, the German manufacturer that worked on Stardust Racers. "Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do."

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Following news of Zavala's death, a woman sued Universal after claiming she was injured by the same ride, with the Zavala family's attorney, Ben Crump, saying that "we believe there were warning signs that there was something wrong with the design of this ride and that they tried to blame the victims."

Universal Epic Universe opened in May as the third theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort, joining Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay waterpark. The park contains rides themed to classic Universal monsters, How to Train Your Dragon, Nintendo video games, and the Harry Potter franchise.