The girlfriend of a 32-year-old man who died while riding a rollercoaster at a theme park in Florida has detailed how she fought in vain to help him as the ride hurtled along.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was tragically pronounced dead on September 17 at the Universal Epic Universe theme park.
A medical examiner’s report released Friday, as reported by the New York Post, showed that Zavala - who was seen on security footage from Epic Universe looking "engaged and well" at the start of the Stardust Racers ride - had suffered severe injuries while on the coaster.
According to the report, the left side of Zavala’s forehead had a deep gash, and the bony ridge above his eye was fractured, and he also had bleeding above his skull and bruises on his abdomen and arms.
The report also found that Zavala's nose and right thigh bone were fractured, and his death had previously been ruled an accident by the medical examiner in Orlando, saying he died of blunt-impact injuries.
Tragically, by the time the ride had finished, Zavala was slumped over in his seat and unresponsive, the sheriff's office report stated, with witnesses adding that he was bleeding from his face.
Zavala's girlfriend, Javiliz Cruz-Robles, was sat next to him on the ride, and a final report into the investigation - which has now been closed - revealed her desperate attempts to help him and draw attention to the emergency that was unfolding.
As reported by People, Cruz-Robles had creamed for help but her cries went unnoticed while the ride was in operation.
On Thursday (December 11), the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) released a final report on the incident, concluding that Kevin's death was accidental and that "no criminal acts occurred".
OCSO Deputy Tria Rojas added in a supplemental report that Cruz-Robles had stated that "it took approximately 2-3 attempts to get the safety bar to secure around Kevin" before the ride began.
Rojas wrote: "She believed he was secured in; however, when the ride began the first downhill, Kevin flew forward, striking his head."
Cruz-Robles says she saw Zavala "hit his head multiple times," and said she "attempted to hold him back but couldn’t do so."
She added that she "was crying for help, but due to being in the middle of the ride, no one heard her screaming for help until the train cart was getting close to the station," per Rojas' report.
Dr. Anna Marshall, a witness who was at the Stardust Racers ride at the time the cart returned, revealed that she heard someone screaming "Get me out!", but assumed they "might have been having trouble breathing as a result of the ride," and told ride staff that she was a doctor and "could assist with calming the person down," per the report.
When she got closer, she saw Cruz-Robles with "blood on her face" while Zavala was "unresponsive" and "completely slouched over with blood surrounding him."
She added: "I couldn’t 100% be certain, but I was relatively confident at that point that he was lifeless."
Marshall also told investigators that his arm was hanging over the ride, while his thigh bone was broken in half and resting on the back of the ride chair, per the New York Post.
In an interview which was conducted at the hospital after both Zavala and Cruz-Robles were admitted, she detailed what had happened on the ride and added that Zavala, who was a wheelchair user, had a preexisting spinal injury and was taking Baclofen, a muscle relaxant.
The report stated: "Cruz-Robles was visibly shaken, crying, and stated she was having panic attacks while speaking to deputies about the incident and was unable to write a statement herself."
Zavala's parents, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz and Anne Zavala, told deputies that he "was born with Spinal Cord Atrophy, specifically at his T2-T5 vertebra, which required surgeries throughout his life."
The OCSO's final report stated that, after reviewing all of the evidence, they determined that "it appeared that all employees of Epic Universe followed their Standards Operating Procedures and did not act in a careless or neglectful manner."
It added: "Based upon the totality of the circumstances, with consideration of known, available evidence, to include sworn statements, video surveillance, the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office findings, the standard operating procedures provided by Epic Universe, this case was deemed an accidental death and was closed accordingly."
In a GoFundMe set up to help his family, Zavala was remembered as "an old soul — wise beyond his years.
"He was the kind of person who always made time to listen, offer thoughtful advice, and lift others up, even when he was facing challenges of his own."
It added: "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. As a friend, he was loyal, thoughtful, and always present. His presence lit up every room, and his absence leaves a space no one can fill."
The dual-launch rollercoaster had officially opened in May Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park was opened, and can reach top speeds of 62MPH.