Universal Orlando will reopen its Stardust Racers roller coaster on Saturday, two weeks after a man died after riding the Epic Universe attraction.
The ride has been closed since Sept. 17, when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive after riding the coaster. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The Orange County medical examiner ruled his death as accidental and the result of “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
Zavala’s family legal team, which includes attorney Benjamin Crump, has called for a transparent investigation into what happened.
Zavala used a wheelchair and had a previous spinal injury, according to authorities. Crump has said that did not factor into his injuries on the coaster.
In an internal email sent to employees on Friday, Universal Orlando president Karen Irwin said that Universal conducted an “extensive review” of the coaster with several parties, including local officials, the state of Florida and the ride’s manufacturer.
“As I previously indicated, our 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, and our Team Members followed procedures throughout,” Irwin wrote.
Universal is also making changes to Stardust Racers and other attractions, according to the email. Updates will be made to “operational procedures” and signs that alert riders of the “physical eligibility requirements” of Universal’s rides.
Following Zavala’s death, a woman filed a lawsuit saying the coaster caused her permanent injuries in April. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.
Stardust Racers is a dual launch, dueling coaster that reaches speeds of 62 mph and a height of 133 feet.
