Newly released body camera footage offers a harrowing look into the moments surrounding the tragic death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who unfortunately passed away after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe park. The video captures the emotional account of his partner, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, as she recounts the terrifying ordeal to officers.
Kevin, 32, was visiting the Orlando, Florida park on September 17 last year with Javiliz when the incident occurred on the Stardust Racers coaster. According to his family, Kevin had been diagnosed with spinal cord atrophy, a condition that causes the degeneration of spinal cord volume, and he used a wheelchair because of it. This meant he didn’t have much support in the lower half of his body, according to Unilad.
Javiliz told officers in the footage that as they boarded the ride, staff members pushed on the restraints multiple times to ensure they were secured. She even thought the restraint felt tight across their laps. However, she explained that Kevin was “too low” in his seat and lacked the necessary leg support due to his condition.
You really start questioning ride safety after hearing this story
As the coaster began its journey, dipping and weaving, Kevin’s body wasn’t adequately supported. Javiliz tearfully recalled the terrifying moments. “I tried, I saw him on the first drop. I saw him hit his head,” she told the cops. “I tried to hold him; I couldn’t hold him. Another one, he hit his head… He just went up and hit… It looked like [the restraint] was tight, but it wasn’t because he didn’t have support on his neck.” She added that Kevin kept hitting his head, and she tried desperately to prevent further injuries mid-ride.
Javiliz screamed for help, but her cries weren’t heard as they were in the middle of the coaster track. When the ride finally came to a stop, a doctor named Anna Marshall, who was waiting for her turn, observed Kevin’s “lifeless” body. She reported that he was slouched over, his arm hanging off the side, and his femur bone appeared broken in half, resting on the back of his seat.
An autopsy report later confirmed that Kevin passed away due to “multiple blunt impact injuries,” a finding from Joshua Stephany, the chief medical examiner for Orange and Osceola counties. The incident was ultimately ruled an accident. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) conducted an investigation and concluded that the park staff had acted appropriately when checking Kevin’s restraints. The OCSO also determined that “no criminal acts occurred” in connection with the tragic event.
Kevin was remembered in a GoFundMe campaign as an “old soul, wise beyond his years, with a heart full of compassion, love, and understanding.” The campaign described him as “the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice, and lift others up.” It is devastating that someone navigating wheelchair hurdles faced such a preventable tragedy. This loss feels sharp compared to those who misuse wheelchairs for deception.
Following the incident, Kevin’s family hired attorney Ben Crump to independently investigate the case. They later reached a settlement with Universal Orlando outside of court. In a letter sent to staff, the president of Universal Orlando Resort addressed the situation. The letter stated that their “comprehensive technical and operational review 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.”
It also noted that their “Team Members followed procedures throughout.” The resort president emphasized that “Safety, as always, is our top priority,” and to further help guests determine if they can or cannot ride an attraction, Universal is updating operational procedures and attraction signage.
These updates are meant to reinforce existing ride warnings and physical eligibility requirements at Stardust Racers and other rides.
Published: Apr 2, 2026 06:15 pm