Attorney Ben Crump lashed out at Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, calling it “deeply disturbing” for the theme park to reopen its Stardust Racers ride before his investigators could inspect the roller coaster and help determine how Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died after riding it.
Flanked by members of Zavala’s family at a press conference in downtown Orlando, a visibly angry Crump called the ride’s opening as “the ultimate disrespect” to Zavala’s family “and the community.”
Crump added Zavala’s family and his legal team found out Universal planned to open the ride on Friday after seeing news reports, not from the theme park.
“You know how we found out? From you all,” he said, pointing to nearly a dozen television cameras and several news reporters in the hotel banquet room.
Representatives from Universal Orlando did not immediately respond to Crump’s allegations. However, a spokeswoman for the company has previously said they cannot comment “on pending claims.”
As part of reopening Stardust Racers at Epic Universe on Saturday, Universal updated its procedures and signs to reinforce existing warnings for “physical eligibility requirements” of riders.
Guests using mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, must be able to walk independently. However, the park will continue to use “transfer devices” to assist visitors into the ride.
Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee, who was wheelchair-bound, was helped into the roller coaster by Universal employees using such a “transfer seat,” according to family members.
Zavala’s father, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz, said in a written statement read at the press conference that it took a Universal employee four attempts at successfully closing a lap bar after his son was placed in the ride.
“Kevin did nothing wrong,” Ortiz said in the statement. “He placed his trust on Universal and its employees. He believed he was safe….We’re not here to tear Universal down. We’re here to lift safety standards up. Everyone deserves to enjoy these parks safely.”
Crump said the policy change regarding riders using mobility devices should have been made before Stardust Racers opened to the public last May.
“This change in policy is like a day late and a dollar short,” he said. “It’s like giving a death row pardon ten minutes too late. It shouldn’t be after someone is killed that you go and change your safety protocols…That is supposed to happen to prevent a tragedy from happening.”
Family members said they had yet to hear from anyone at Universal Orlando regarding Zavala’s death.
Crump’s office said in an emailed statement last Friday that if Universal continues to operate Stardust Racers before his experts can inspect the ride, his firm would “address Universal’s callous actions in court.”
On Monday, however, Crump did not say whether his legal team would seek a court injunction against Universal to shut down Stardust Racers. He said they took Universal “at their word” that they would hold off on opening the rollercoaster until an investigation was completed.
Zavala lost consciousness while riding the new Stardust Racers, a fast-paced roller coaster that reaches speeds of 62 mph and rises 133 feet. Witnesses said his head kept hitting the head rest during the ride, and he was found slumped over when the ride finished.
Employees and later Orange County paramedics performed CPR on Zavala. He was rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Orange County medical examiner ruled the death as accidental and the result of “multiple blunt impact injuries.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Friday the case remains an open and active death investigation.
Originally Published:
