ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Roughly a year after a rider was found dead on the Stardust Racers rollercoaster at Universal’s Epic Universe, the theme park is under fire again over a child passing out on the ride, according to court records obtained by News 6.
The lawsuit — filed on behalf of the child, “L.L.” — says that L.L. was at Epic Universe back in October 2025.
While there, he rode the Stardust Racers coaster, though he ultimately “lost consciousness as a result of the forces generated by the attraction,” the lawsuit asserts.
“While L.L. was unconscious, and with no restraint or support to hold or protect his head, neck, or upper body, L.L.’s head and face were thrown against the hard surfaces of the ride vehicle,” the lawsuit reads.
As a result of the incident, L.L. suffered blunt impact injuries to his head, along with orthopedic and spinal injuries, the lawsuit says.
Now, L.L.’s parent is accusing Universal of negligence. Mack Rides, which designed Stardust Racers, is also named in the lawsuit, accused of strict products liability and negligence.
STARDUST RACERS DEATH
The lawsuit further points to an incident last year where a rider died while on the Stardust Racers rollercoaster.
Investigative documents show that the incident happened in September 2025, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive on the ride.
Zavala was pronounced dead at the hospital, but Orange County fire officials said that he hadn’t fallen from the roller coaster. Instead, the medical examiner chalked it up to “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
According to the report, Zavala appeared to have suffered “severe facial trauma,” with witnesses reporting a “significant amount of blood loss.”
[RELATED: Incident report sheds light on Stardust Racers death at Epic Universe]
First responders said they learned that Zavala was wheelchair-bound as a result of a preexisting spinal injury, meaning he didn’t have full use of his legs.
Ultimately, though, investigators determined the incident was an “accidental death,” and the case is now closed.
Regardless, the ride was shut down for approximately two weeks after Zavala’s death, but the lawsuit argues that Universal reopened the ride without:
Reducing the force profile of the attraction
Modifying the restraint system
Imposing any minimum age or medical screening requirement
Warning riders or their parents that the attraction was capable of causing a rider to lose consciousness
Now, L.L.’s parent seeks compensation for the damages involved.
News 6 has reached out to Universal for a statement and is awaiting a response.
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