Nonprofit Group Pushes for Closure of Stardust Racers Roller Coaster Following Rider’s Death

A nonprofit organization is calling for the closure of the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park after a tragic death occurred on the ride in September 2025.

The Juneteenth Project Coalition, a social justice group focused on advocating for the rights and safety of marginalized communities, has launched a petition and called for action after Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the roller coaster on September 17, 2025, and pronounced dead later that evening at a hospital. The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office listed his cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries.” An incident report noted that he had a “preexisting spinal injury.”

Universal Orlando’s safety and accessibility guide indicates that Stardust Racers is not for guests with “back, neck, or similar physical conditions,” among other listed restrictions.

Stardust Racers was closed following the fatal incident but resumed operation on October 4, 2025.

Universal Orlando reopened Stardust Racers after investigations, conducted in collaboration with local authorities, with testing overseen and evaluated by the State of Florida, and also confirmed by the ride’s manufacturer and an independent third-party roller coaster engineering expert, found that ride systems functioned properly and Universal Orlando Team Members followed procedures.

Zavala’s family and their attorney Ben Crump, were disappointed and frustrated with Universal Orlando’s decision to reopen the ride.

Despite the conclusions of the investigations, the founder of the Juneteenth Project Coalition, Tina Wilson, expressed her dismay at the park’s response to the incident. Wilson called Stardust Racers a “death trap” and accused Universal of being insensitive to the Zavala family’s needs.

“It is a death trap, and I’m a disabled American veteran. I have been in a wheelchair,” Wilson said. “But for them to reopen the ride, it’s just a slap in the face.” She added, “Once we get a fair amount of signatures, if I have to get my bullhorn and go and stand out in front of Universal Studios until they shut that ride down, I will because it’s not fair.”

Wilson also criticized Universal for prioritizing business over the family. “So, you could not wait, you’re going to make money anyway. You’re Universal, you’re a big corporation. It’s very insensitive. Shut down the ride until the investigation and the family has some kind of closure. It’s only been two weeks.”

Stardust Racers, a dual-launch roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet, officially opened with Epic Universe on May 22, 2025.

UPDATE (October 7, 2025, at 12 PM): This article has been updated to include the victim’s cause of death and preexisting spinal condition, as well as information about Stardust Racers’ restrictions.