ORLANDO, Fla. (October 9, 2025) – The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala issued a statement after a park visitor reported that a restraint on Universal’s Stardust Racers did not lock correctly just hours after the ride reopened.
This mirrors witness accounts and intake records from Kevin’s case showing that his lap bar failed to lock properly until a fourth, forceful attempt by a Universal ride operator.
Universal had publicly stated that the ride underwent “comprehensive reviews” by its own inspectors, the manufacturer, state regulators, and a third-party engineer before reopening. Yet within hours of resuming operations, the same restraint malfunction reportedly occurred again.
The parents of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala released the following statement:
“Universal said the ride was safe, yet news reports show one of the same safety issues that my son experienced just happened again. That tells us nothing has been fixed. They reopened the ride before giving us answers, and the danger is still there. Every rider deserves to come home safe. Until this ride’s restraint system is proven safe and the truth about Kevin’s death is made public, it should not carry another passenger. Kevin’s blood is on Universal’s hands until they do right by him and all riders by closing Stardust Racers until we get answers.”
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