WILL, OF COURSE, LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE THE TRAGEDY AT UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE. 32 YEAR OLD KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA DIED FROM MULTIPLE BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES IN SEPTEMBER AFTER RIDING THE STARDUST ROLLER COASTER. NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME ONLY ON WESH TWO HOUR, CHRISTINA WATKINS SPOKE TO THE CEO OF THE COMPANY THAT DESIGNED THE THRILL RIDE. AND THIS RIDE IS A COMBINATION OF STORYTELLING AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS. THE GERMAN COMPANY MARK RIDES IS KNOWN FOR INNOVATIVE AND HIGH QUALITY ATTRACTIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN ORLANDO. THAT IS TUESDAY DURING THE IAPA EXPO AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER. THE CEO OF THE COMPANY SPOKE ONE ON ONE WITH WESH TWO HIGHLIGHTING A NEW RIDE THEY’RE WORKING ON WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING A TRAGEDY THEY HAVEN’T TALKED ABOUT PUBLICLY UNTIL NOW. ON SEPTEMBER 17TH, 32 YEAR OLD KEVIN RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA RODE STARDUST RACERS AT UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE. MACK RIDES DESIGNED THIS THRILL RACING COASTER. TRAGICALLY, RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA DIED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR MULTIPLE BLUNT IMPACT INJURIES. ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. I’M REALLY SORRY FOR THIS POOR FAMILY AND FOR GUY AND BUT WE DON’T KNOW YET WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. WE ONLY KNOW THAT THE RIGHT WORK VERY WELL, MUCH LIKE THE STATE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS RIDE. THE CEO OF MACK RIDES TOLD WESH TWO. THEIR COASTER OPERATED ACCORDINGLY. ALL THE SPECIALISTS HAVE THE RIGHT WORKED PERFECTLY. WHEN WE QUESTIONED THE SAFETY OF THE RIDE AND ALL THE ATTRACTIONS THE COMPANY BUILDS, THE CEO TOLD US THIS SAFETY IS OF COURSE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE WE THERE ARE HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE ON OUR RIDES AND MAYBE 12 MONTHS, TEN HOURS A DAY. SO THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR US. THE RODRIGUEZ ZAVALA FAMILY SAID THEY WANTED STARDUST RACERS TO STAY CLOSED UNTIL THEY RECEIVED CERTAIN ANSWERS, BUT THE COASTER STARTED RUNNING AGAIN ON OCTOBER 4TH. UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SAID THE RIDE IS SAFE AND ITS TEAM MEMBERS FOLLOWED ALL PROPER PROCEDURES COVERING ORANGE
Mack Rides CEO addresses fatal incident on roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe
Mack Rides manufactured Stardust Racers
Updated: 6:14 PM EST Nov 18, 2025
The German company, Mack Rides, is known for innovative and high-quality attractions all over the world, including in Orlando.Tuesday, during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo at the Orange County Convention Center, Mack Rides CEO Christian von Elverfeldt spoke one-on-one with WESH 2, highlighting the new ride they’re working on.He also addressed a tragedy the company hasn’t talked about publicly until now.On Sept. 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala rode Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe. Mack Rides manufactured the thrill coaster. Tragically, he died at the hospital from multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the medical examiner.”I’m really sorry for this poor family and guy, but we don’t know yet what really happened. We only know that the ride worked very well,” von Elverfeldt said.”We don’t know yet what really happened. We only know that the ride worked very well.”Similar to the state investigation, the CEO told WESH 2 their coaster operated accordingly.”All the specialists said the ride worked perfectly,” he said.When asked about the safety of the ride and other attractions built by the company, Mack Rides CEO said, “Safety is, of course, the most important thing because there are human beings on our rides, and maybe 12 months, 10 hours a day. So, this is most important for us.”Despite the Rodriguez Zavala family’s request to keep the Stardust Racers closed until they received certain answers, the coaster resumed operations on Oct. 4. Universal Orlando Resort stated that the ride is safe and its Team Members followed proper procedures. The company also changed its rider requirements following September’s tragedy.
ORLANDO, Fla. —
The German company, Mack Rides, is known for innovative and high-quality attractions all over the world, including in Orlando.
Tuesday, during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo at the Orange County Convention Center, Mack Rides CEO Christian von Elverfeldt spoke one-on-one with WESH 2, highlighting the new ride they’re working on.
He also addressed a tragedy the company hasn’t talked about publicly until now.
On Sept. 17, 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala rode Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe. Mack Rides manufactured the thrill coaster.
Tragically, he died at the hospital from multiple blunt impact injuries, according to the medical examiner.
“I’m really sorry for this poor family and guy, but we don’t know yet what really happened. We only know that the ride worked very well,” von Elverfeldt said.
“We don’t know yet what really happened. We only know that the ride worked very well.”
Similar to the state investigation, the CEO told WESH 2 their coaster operated accordingly.
“All the specialists said the ride worked perfectly,” he said.
When asked about the safety of the ride and other attractions built by the company, Mack Rides CEO said, “Safety is, of course, the most important thing because there are human beings on our rides, and maybe 12 months, 10 hours a day. So, this is most important for us.”
Despite the Rodriguez Zavala family’s request to keep the Stardust Racers closed until they received certain answers, the coaster resumed operations on Oct. 4.
Universal Orlando Resort stated that the ride is safe and its Team Members followed proper procedures. The company also changed its rider requirements following September’s tragedy.