Exec Says Roller Coaster "Functioned As Intended" Prior To Rider's Death

Universal Orlando’s president and COO Karen Irwin says in an internal memo sent to staff of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando that the park’s Stardust Racers roller coaster ride system “functioned as intended” prior to a rider’s death last week.

“In my 35 years with Universal, few moments have been as difficult as this one,” Irwin says in the memo obtained by Deadline.

Park visitor Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, of Kissimmee, Florida, died Wednesday, September 17, after suffering what the Orlando medical examiner has said were “multiple blunt impact injuries” during the ride.

In the memo sent to staff over the weekend, Irwin said “that the ride systems functioned as intended, equipment was intact at the ride’s start, throughout the duration of the ride and upon the ride vehicle’s retu