A Man Died. A Woman Was Permanently Injured. Both Rode the Same New Roller Coaster at Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando.

Universal's Epic Universe opened in Orlando in May 2025 as the largest theme park expansion in Florida history. One of its flagship attractions, Stardust Racers, is a dual-launch roller coaster reaching speeds of up to 62 mph.

Within months of opening, the coaster was at the center of a death investigation and multiple injury lawsuits.

On September 14, 2025, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died after riding Stardust Racers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigated and ruled the death an accident caused by blunt impact injuries.

One week later, Sandi Streets filed a negligence lawsuit against Universal City Development Partners in Orange County state court. Streets rode Stardust Racers during a preview event before the park's official opening. According to the complaint, her head shook violently and slammed repeatedly into the seat's headrest throughout the ride, causing permanent injuries including disability, ongoing medical expenses, and loss of her ability to work. The lawsuit settled days after it was filed.

What the Lawsuits Allege

Both the Streets lawsuit and related litigation allege that Stardust Racers failed to adequately restrain riders' heads, causing violent and repeated impacts with the seat's headrest. The lawsuits allege Universal failed to maintain the ride in a reasonably safe condition and failed to provide adequate warnings to guests about the risks.

The Streets complaint also notes she rode during a pre-opening preview event — meaning, if the coaster was producing violent head impacts before the park officially opened, Universal may have had prior knowledge of the hazard before members of the public ever rode it.

Florida Theme Park Injury Law: What You Need to Know

Florida law requires theme parks to maintain rides in a reasonably safe condition and to warn guests of known risks. Under Florida Statute § 616.242, amusement park operators owe a duty of care to their guests.

Florida's largest theme parks — Disney, Universal, SeaWorld — are exempt from the state ride inspection requirements that apply to smaller parks. They self-inspect. This places significant responsibility on those companies to police their own safety standards rigorously, and creates significant legal exposure when they do not.

What the Speed of Settlement in the Streets Case May Signal

The Streets case settled within days of being filed — before any discovery, before depositions, before internal Universal documents about the ride's safety history were produced. When a major company settles this quickly, it is often because internal records — engineering reports, maintenance logs, incident history — could be damaging if produced in litigation.

For injured guests, this is an important reminder: the first offer is rarely the best offer. Before settling any claim against a Florida theme park, consult a personal injury attorney who can assess the full value of your case.

Florida's Two-Year Deadline for Theme Park Injury Claims

Personal injury claims against Florida theme parks are subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. In wrongful death cases, the two-year period generally runs from the date of death. Evidence — including maintenance logs, inspection records, and surveillance footage — can disappear quickly. Acting promptly preserves your options.

1. Seek medical care immediately and document every injury and treatment.

2. Report the incident to park guest services and request a written incident report.

3. Photograph the ride, restraints, warning signs, and your injuries.

4. Do not sign any release or accept a settlement offer without consulting an attorney first.

5. Contact a Florida personal injury attorney promptly. Theme park cases require fast action to preserve evidence the park controls.

Think You May Have a Case? Here's What to Do.

If you or someone you love was injured in Florida — at a retail store, theme park, cruise ship, restaurant, or anywhere else — you may have a legal claim. Florida law is complex, and the facts of your situation matter enormously. The best first step is a free conversation with a Florida personal injury attorney.

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If you think you may have a case, Consumer Rights Law, PLLC offers free consultations and works on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win. Call (786) 360-7697 or visit consumerrights.law.

Consumer Rights Law, PLLC — Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.