Universal Quickly Settles Stardust Racers Injury Lawsuit — Roller Coaster Remains Closed

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Following the sad death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on the Stardust Racers coaster at Epic Universe on September 17, 2025, another legal case related to the ride has been settled. Sandi Streets claimed she suffered lasting injuries while riding Stardust Racers during a preview event in April, experiencing head and neck trauma. Details of the settlement have not been released.

Streets, who was at Epic Universe for business, experienced the Stardust Racers ride on April 30, 2025-only a few weeks before the park’s official opening. After Rodriguez Zavala passed away, she initiated a negligence lawsuit on September 24, 2025, requesting between $50,000 and $75,000 in damages.

Settlement From Universal Came Quickly

Only a few days after submitting her lawsuit, Streets came to a settlement with Universal Orlando. The company hasn’t revealed the reasons for settling or the specifics of the agreement, but the issues Streets brought up were substantial.

Key details of the lawsuit and settlement include:

  • The Incident: Streets claimed that while riding Stardust Racers, her “head shook violently and slammed into her seat’s headrest,” resulting in severe headaches and ongoing neck pain. Her attorneys argued that the ride’s lap-only restraints, which left riders’ heads, necks, and torsos unsupported, were “extremely dangerous.”
  • Medical Treatment: She sought hospitalization and medical care for persistent pain following the incident, ultimately leading to the Stardust Racers lawsuit.
  • Legal Action: Filed on September 24, 2025, Streets sought damages between $50,000 and $75,000.
  • Prompt Settlement: Within days of filing, a settlement was reached and the case dismissed.
  • Context of Other Incidents: This settlement came just a week after Rodriguez Zavala’s death on the same coaster, an event that prompted his family to retain attorney Ben Crump for a separate case.

Rodriguez Zavala Stardust Racers Death Investigation Continues

Meanwhile, the investigation into Rodriguez Zavala’s death on Stardust Racers is ongoing.

The coaster is currently closed with no set reopening date while officials from Florida, Universal Orlando, and Mack Rides (the ride’s maker) thoroughly investigate the situation.

Zavala, 32, loved theme parks his entire life, but he used a wheelchair because of a condition that weakened his spine. Even with this disability, he’d ridden many exciting roller coasters and never had any health problems on them before. Now, his family, with lawyer Benjamin Crump representing them, wants to know why the Stardust Racers ride resulted in his death.

Currently, a lawsuit hasn’t been initiated, however, a complete investigation into Stardust Racers has been formally requested.

Future of Stardust Racers at Epic Universe

Stardust Racers was designed to be the park’s main attraction and draw crowds. However, its future is now questionable, as one injury claim has been resolved and authorities are currently investigating a fatal accident.

As a coaster enthusiast, I’m really curious to see what happens next! Will they completely redesign the ride with improved safety measures? Is a total teardown and rebuild on the table? Or will they just replace it with something else entirely? Until the park makes an official statement, all we can do is speculate – and honestly, I’m starting to wonder how all this drama might impact attendance at Epic Universe and its reputation in the long run. It’s a tough situation, and everyone is on the edge of their seats.

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2025-09-30 20:57