Universal's Terrifying New Rollercoaster Injures Riders, Shocking Lawyer Reaction

New Injuries Reported on Universal Orlando’s Rollercoaster Before Tragic Death

Multiple individuals have reported injuries after riding Universal Orlando's new 62mph rollercoaster, Stardust Racers, before the tragic death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala earlier this month. Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump has revealed that his office and Zavala’s family have received several messages from people who rode the ride since Universal’s Epic Universe opened in May. These individuals claim they also suffered injuries afterward.

At a news conference in Orlando, Crump shared that one woman reached out to Zavala’s family via an online fundraiser. She described suffering spine and neck injuries shortly after the ride opened. Another woman filed a lawsuit against Universal last week, alleging she sustained injuries on the coaster. The suit was settled on Friday for undisclosed terms and was voluntarily dismissed, according to Florida Politics.

Crump emphasized that the family and his team believe there were warning signs about the design of the ride, which he claims led the theme park to blame the victims. He stated, “They won’t be able to silence everybody,” as he questioned what actions theme park officials took after receiving injury reports.

The woman who sued, Sandi Streets, 49, claimed the rollercoaster only provided a hip restraint, leaving her upper body to be flung around during the ride. She alleged that her head "shook violently and slammed into her seat's headrest throughout the duration of the ride." The motion caused permanent injuries to her neck, leading to severe headaches and neck pain that persisted even after medical treatment.

Streets also faced financial damages from hospitalization, medical and nursing care, and past and future loss of earnings, the lawsuit said. At the news conference, Crump revealed that Zavala suffered a similar fate, which ultimately led to his death. He said that investigators found the 32-year-old hit his head repeatedly on the coaster’s metal bar starting on the first dip of the ride, and remained unconscious afterward.

Witnesses noticed blood, and part of a seat covering was detached and hanging off the seat where Zavala was strapped in. “All we want is answers regarding my son's death,” Zavala’s mother, Ana, said through an interpreter. “We want these answers so we can be able to honor him. We want these answers so we can have some peace.”

The family and Crump have denied that Zavala’s death was related to the spinal disability he had from birth. However, Universal Orlando’s safety guide states that Stardust Racers is “not for guests with back, neck [injuries] or similar physical conditions.” The warning includes requirements such as being able to maintain an upright position, support your torso, neck, and head while absorbing sudden and dramatic movements, and brace your body with at least one natural upper extremity.

Crump argued, “If they believed that disabled people should not be on this rollercoaster then why would you assist him in getting on the rollercoaster? Now you can't justify this by trying to blame the victim.”

Universal President and COO Karen Irwin previously stated in a memo to staff members that the ride functioned as intended during the incident. “Our internal findings to date confirm that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s return to the station, and our Team Members followed procedures,” she wrote.

Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said their findings align with that of the theme park. Still, the family’s attorneys said they are working with Universal to inspect the coaster and are still waiting to get surveillance footage from the ride.

“We and our experts are going to look at everything, from the design to materials on the seat,” Paul Grinke, a managing attorney at Ben Crump Law, vowed. The law firm is also calling for greater oversight of large corporations like Universal and Disney.

Under Florida law, the state’s two largest theme parks are exempt from safety inspections, unlike smaller venues and fairs. They instead conduct their own inspections and have their own protocols, but must report any injury or death.

Since Epic Universe opened in May, state records show that there have been three reports made about the rides. In May, a 63-year-old man with preexisting conditions experienced dizziness and an 'altered state of consciousness,' and a 47-year-old woman with preexisting conditions had a 'visual disturbance' and numbness after going on Stardust Racers on separate days. A 32-year-old man also experienced chest pain after going on Hiccup's Wing Gliders ride, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Universal Orlando for comment, but a spokesperson previously said theme park officials were left 'devastated' by Zavala’s death 'and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guest's loved ones.' “We are fully committed to cooperating with this ongoing investigation,” the spokesperson said.

In her memo to staffers, Irwin also noted that the ride will remain closed “as we continue to work through a comprehensive review process in cooperation with the ride manufacturer of record.” “Safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of everything we do,” she said at the time.