Overview
- An Orange County Sheriff’s Office report closed the case, finding no criminal acts in Kevin Rodriguez Zavala’s September death on the Stardust Racers coaster.
- The District Nine medical examiner ruled the manner of death accidental, citing multiple blunt-impact injuries including head and neck trauma, a fractured right femur, and a dislocated left femur.
- Zavala’s girlfriend told investigators the lap bar required multiple pushes to lock and that he partially rose on the first drop, striking the bar repeatedly; surveillance showed him engaged at launch and unresponsive on return.
- A doctor waiting to board said Zavala had no detectable pulse and severe leg injuries, and paramedics reported it took about 10 minutes to release the lap bar to remove him.
- Universal and state regulators reported the ride systems and procedures functioned as intended; the coaster reopened Oct. 4 with stricter guidance for guests using mobility devices, and the family is pursuing an independent investigation and a pending lawsuit.