Puerto Rican Man Dies After Riding Universal Orlando Roller Coaster, Autopsy Shows Blunt Force Trauma

A man who lost consciousness after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort's newest theme park has died from blunt force injuries, according to the medical examiner's office.

According to Puerto Rico's newspaper El Nuevo Día, the victim, identified as 32-year-old Kevin Rodríguez Zavala of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers attraction at Epic Universe on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Joshua Stephany, the chief medical examiner for the Orlando area, ruled the death an accident following an autopsy. The statement released Thursday did not specify which part of the body sustained the fatal injuries or how they occurred.

Rodríguez Zavala's family has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs. His social media profiles show he was originally from Caguas, a city in central Puerto Rico.

Safety questions raised

The findings left experts puzzled. Dennis Speigel, founder of the consulting firm International Theme Park Services, described the autopsy's conclusion as "quite startling."

"It raises more questions than answers," Speigel said. "Was it head trauma or chest trauma? Did he strike something during the ride? Was his restraint secure? Was this an accident related to the ride itself or something caused by the passenger's actions?"

The medical examiner's office did not respond to requests for further information about the injuries.

Ride and park details

Universal confirmed that the attraction involved was Stardust Racers, which the company's website describes as a dual-launch coaster capable of reaching 62 miles per hour. The ride remains closed.

"We are devastated by this tragic event and extend our deepest condolences to the guest's loved ones," Universal Orlando said in a statement. "We are fully cooperating with Orange County and with the ongoing investigation."

The company declined to provide further comment following the release of the autopsy.

Epic Universe opened in May and is the first major new theme park in Florida since Islands of Adventure debuted in 1999. The $1-billion property features five themed lands and a 500-room hotel, bringing Universal Orlando's total number of parks in Florida to four, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.