Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive seven days ago after riding the 133-foot tall Stardust Racers at Epic Universal. The park opened in May. Photo by Univeral Park USA/media
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Family members of the man who died after riding a roller coaster in Orlando said Wednesday his disability was not a factor.
Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, was found unresponsive seven days ago after riding the 133-foot-tall Stardust Racers at Epic Universal, which opened in May. A medical examiner said Thursday his death was from "multiple blunt impact injuries."
Zavala had a spinal disability from birth and used a wheelchair with no medical issues before getting on the ride. Family members described him as a "roller coaster freak" though he hadn't been on the ride before.
"I never put any limits on my son," his mother, Anna Zavala, said at a news conference reported by WKMG-TV. "Regardless of what condition he had, he had no limits. He was raised like his siblings, no different, he was completely independent. My son was an angel."
