Man who died after riding roller coaster ‘partially’ fell out of seat and hit his head multiple times: final report

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• Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe Theme Park in Orlando, Fla., on Wednesday, Sept. 17, and was later pronounced dead.

• The medical examiner’s office previously said Zavala died from “multiple blunt impact injuries” and ruled her death an accident.

• The Sheriff’s Office completed its investigative report in December, concluding that “no criminal activity occurred in this case”.

Authorities have released a final report detailing their investigation into the death of a 32-year-old man while riding a roller coaster in Florida.

Kevin Rodriguez Zavala was found unresponsive while riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe theme park in Orlando on Wednesday, Sept. 17. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

An autopsy found she died of “multiple blunt impact injuries,” the Orange and Osceola County chief medical examiner said in a previous statement shared with PEOPLE, ruling her death an accident.

In a statement released Thursday, Dec. 11, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said their report also concluded her death was accidental.

“Since it has been determined that no criminal activity occurred in this case, this concludes the role of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in this case,” they added.

The lengthy final report on his death includes two interviews with the man’s girlfriend, who was on the ride with him and said she “made several attempts to get a safety bar around Kevin.”

When they got to the ride, she “noticed that the lap bar was very low,” but the ride operator “continued to push on the lap bar … until it locked in place,” police wrote in the report.

An employee who helped fasten the lap bar said they “followed proper procedures” and gave the lap bar a “little push” until indicated “it was good for him to ride.” The employee said they then “visually rechecked the lap bar per our procedures, and we were able to clear the train.”

Although his girlfriend thought he was properly secured and didn’t see “any signs of discomfort” during the first drop from the ride, she said he “partially fell out of his seat and hit his head on the metal bar in front of them,” according to the report.

“As the ride continued, Javiliz Cruz-Robles said he repeatedly hit his head on the fence in front of them when the ride went down,” the report continued.

“Javiliz tried to grab him but was unable to do so,” police wrote, although he was “crying for help … being in the middle of the ride, no one heard his screams until the train cart approached the station.”

According to sworn statements from ride attendants, when they realized what was happening, the man was still secured by a lap bar and they saw multiple facial injuries as well as “significant blood loss.”

According to Kevin’s parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Anne Zavala, their son “was born with spinal cord atrophy, specifically in his T2-T5 vertebrae, which required surgery throughout his life.” They told investigators that their son, who used a wheelchair, had “a previous hip dislocation that required surgery” as well as a previous femur fracture.

When they interviewed the man’s girlfriend a second time, she said she “just found out” about his previous hip injury but said that “may be the reason he came so far from the seat.”

After looking at all the evidence, police said they determined that “all Epic Universe employees followed their standard operating procedures and did not act recklessly or recklessly.”

“Based on the totality of the circumstances, taking into account the known, available evidence, to include sworn statements, video surveillance, the findings of the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office, standard operating procedures provided by Epic Universe, this case was deemed an accidental death and accordingly closed.”

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After Kevin’s death, his family hired attorney Ben Crump, who said they would conduct an independent investigation.

Kevin is remembered by loved ones as having “a heart full of kindness, love and understanding.”

“Kevin was truly one of a kind. He had an old soul – wise beyond his years,” loved ones wrote in a message on a GoFundMe set up on behalf of his family. “He was someone who always took the time to listen, offer thoughtful advice and lift others up, even when he faced his own challenges.”

“As a son, he brought warmth and pride to our parents’ hearts. As a brother and uncle, he was a source of laughter, guidance and unconditional love,” the message continued. “As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful and ever-present. His presence brightened every room, and his absence leaves a void no one can fill.”

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