According to the Orlando Sentinel, a woman is suing Universal Orlando for injuries she sustained after riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe. This is the same roller coaster that Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died after riding on September 17th, 2025.
Stardust Racers
The lawsuit was filed by Sandi Streets, a 49-year-old woman from Sanford, FL. She is claiming that she suffered permanent injuries after riding Stardust Racers back in April. The lawsuit states that “her head shook violently and slammed into her seat’s headrest,” resulting in permanent injury.
On September 17th, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala passed away after riding the Stardust Racers roller coaster. The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that he died from blunt impact injuries. Universal Orlando conducted an internal review and found that the ride “functioned as intended” and that staff members “correctly followed procedures.”
Stardust Racers
Now, another woman is stepping forward, claiming that since riding the attraction, she began “began suffering severe headaches and a sore neck from possible whiplash.” She is seeking damages of more than $50,000. According to WCJB, Sandi Streets “has suffered disability, medical care expenses, loss of the ability to work, and an exacerbation of a preexisting condition since going on the ride.” She rode the roller coaster back on April 30th and is still suffering pain and has had to seek medical treatment.
Stardust Racers
Neither Nicholas Spetsas, lawyer for Sandi Streets, nor Universal Orlando has commented on the new lawsuit. The family of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala has also hired a lawyer to better understand how he died on Stardust Racers. According to USA Today, the attorney representing Kevin Rodriquez Zavala’s family, Ben Crump, has stated, “Just because you say there are no malfunctions, that doesn’t mean that there are not safety issues.” His firm is conducting an investigation and demanding answers from Universal Orlando.
Stay tuned to DFB for more updates.
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Did that lady come forward before or after someone died on the coaster?
They both unfortunately had preexisting conditions, I too have preexisting conditions (1 lung , 1 kidney & daily chemo) I know when I ride a ride it is at my risk…there are SO many warnings throughout the lines. You are an adult who CHOSE to go on the ride no one forced you to, take responsibility for your own actions and quit suing businesses for your actions!
If the woman’s suit is claiming exacerbation of a preexisting condition I think she’ll be out of luck. I don’t know about Universal but I know Disney has all kinds of warnings stating if you have this or that problem not to ride. I’m sure Universal does too.