death Arches National Park accident: Esther Nakajjigo's family awarded Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park Nakajjigo, originally from Kampala, Uganda, used her university tuition money to start a nonprofit organization that provided free reproductive health care to girls and young women when she was just 17. Last month, Nakajjigos husband, Ludovic Michaud, and her parents filed a $270 million wrongful-death claim a precursor to a formal lawsuit alleging that the gate should have been secured to prevent it from swinging into the road. Traffic may back up between the entrance station and US 191. As Nakajjigo and her husband were leaving Arches National Park, a strong gust of wind swung the gate with sufficient force to slice through the passenger door of the couples vehicle, decapitating Nakajjigo as her husband sat in the drivers seat. She and Michaud were married in March, and the two traveled to Arches to celebrate the one-year anniversary of when they first met on a dating app. "The National Park Service has, in face, known for decades that an unsecured metal pipe gate creates an undetectable hazard and dangerous conditions," says the claim. NBC reported that he was flown to Moab Regional Hospital. United States attorneys do not dispute that park officials shouldered blame, but argued the amount the family should be awarded is far less and called into questions the ways in which the damages being sought were calculated. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. Employees knew or should have known that winds strong enough to carve stone are certainly strong enough to blow an unrestrained metal pipe gate into the path of an oncoming vehicle, Chang wrote in the claim. The couple was on their way to get ice cream when "the end of the lance-like gate pierced the side of their car and penetrated it like a hot knife through butter," according to the claim, which was obtained by NBC News. WebDENVER The family of a Denver woman, who was killed when the entrance gate at Arches National Park swung into the passenger compartment of a rental car and decapitated her, Newlywed killed by swinging gate at Arches, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Newlywed killed by swinging gate at Arches National Park, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Bay Area honeymooners say snorkel boat abandoned them off Maui coast, At least 26 killed in fiery train crash in Greece, If it was your child, when would you give up? Mother searches for 5-year-old son swept away in January floods, Online fundraiser emerges for Brentwood father who died while kayaking. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. However, she eventually became the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda, which emphasized womens empowerment, educational attainment, and equitable access to health care. There was less than a second between when the gate started to move and when it struck the car and killed Nakajjigo, according to the report. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. Newlywed killed by swinging gate at Arches National Park McGinn said if her life hadn't been cut short that Nakajjigo's trajectory suggested she would have gone on to become a non-profit CEO who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions. Her husband, Ludovic Michaud, and her parents in October filed a $270 million wrongful-death claim a precursor to the formal lawsuit alleging that the gate should have been secured to prevent it from swinging into the road. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. She was named the country's ambassador for women and girls soon after, and passionately advocated to reduce teen pregnancy and increase educational opportunities for Ugandan women. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, tragically died on June 13 after a metal gate swung into the car she and her 26-year-old husband Ludovic Michaud were driving as they exited the parking lot of the Utah landmark. The trial over a wrong death lawsuit of a Ugandan activist has begun. Family sues after newlywed is killed by gate at Arches park We just dont want this to ever happen again, Michaud said in an interview Thursday. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Nakajjigo gained national attention in Uganda and created a reality TV show that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to the claim. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. National Park / CBS Colorado. Attorneys representing the victims family asked the court to award an estimated $140 million, whereas the U.S. government argued that $3.5 million would be more appropriate and comparable to similar awards in similar claims. "She's got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after A lot of people just want to continue that because that's what she would have wanted from us.". A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. Trial begins Ugandan woman's death in Arches National Park The Colorado Sun is a journalist-owned, award-winning news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state our community can better understand itself. The National Park Service did not respond to an email seeking comment, and the media relations voicemail inbox was full and could not accept messages. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. The United Nations Population Fund gave her a Woman Achiever Award when she was 17, and she was named Ugandas Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Legal Statement. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. "I had a ton of flashbacks. ", "Such metal pipe gates have been known to move when left unsecured, swing to the traveled part of the roadways, and penetrate into vehicles," the claim argues. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. The familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. Decapitated human rights activists family wins $10 million lawsuit after accident at Utah park, Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes death, Family awarded $10.5 million for newlywed decapitated by metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah. The family of a womens rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death and personal injury claim against the National Park Service after she was decapitated by an unsecured gate at Utahs Arches National Park. That same year, she was awarded the Woman Achiever Award from the United Nations Population Fund. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Bay Area weather: After thunderstorms and hail, snow could be on the way this weekend, Family sues after newlywed is killed by swinging gate at Arches National Park, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Bay Area honeymooners say snorkel boat abandoned them off Maui coast, At least 26 killed in fiery train crash in Greece, If it was your child, when would you give up? Mother searches for 5-year-old son swept away in January floods, Online fundraiser emerges for Brentwood father who died while kayaking. WebThey said claims by the family's lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a nonprofit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for The newlyweds were driving during a camping trip on June 13, when a strong gust of wind blew an unsecured metal gate that sliced through the side of their car and decapitated Nakajjigo. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The webcams below provide views from either end of the Arches National Park entrance road. At 17, She was named an Ambassador for Uganda's Women girls by nonprofit organization IREX. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. WebDENVER -- Ludovic Michaud has notified the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service that he intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit because of a crash at the entrance All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! WebSALT LAKE CITY Ludovic Michaud, of Denver, was driving around the scenic red rock landscapes of Utah's Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when something The United Nations Population Fund gave her a Woman Achiever Award when she was 17, and she was named Ugandas Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. A metal gate at Arches National Park killed a woman. Its now the Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. He said he didn't deny Nakajjigo was an extraordinary person, but argued it was difficult to speculate what kind of work she would have gone on to do. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year,' the Denver Post reported in a 2020 article detailing Nakajjigos death. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. Nakajjigo, who grew up in Uganda, had been recognized since she was a teenager for her work promoting health services and education for young women and girls. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! WebVideo of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was in the front passenger seat as they drove toward the gate at about the same speed as other vehicles, according to a It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. death WebEsther Nakajjigo was killed at Utahs Arches National Park when a metal pipe from a swinging gate decapitated her. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Trapped Californians rescued from snow, helped by neighbors, Palo Alto: Woman killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crash, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Dear Abby: I was always in the back seat, one way or another, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. The suit was filed on June 8. Esther Nakajjigo a human-rights advocate from Uganda who was studying at a leadership institute in Colorado was killed instantly in the June 13 incident. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The park which has over 2000 arches that The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. WebUSA TODAY 0:00 0:49 Two people died Friday while hiking in Arches National Park in Utah. Arches National Park 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. By Thomas Peipert, Associated Press The family of a womens rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death and personal injury claim against the National Park Service after she was decapitated by an unsecured gate at Utahs Arches National Park. Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. Arches National Park: 2 people die after falling while hiking - USA Listen online or download the iHeart App. They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to "I was a couple of inches from dying, but I didnt, and right now I have a mission: Its to make sure what shes done continues," said Michaud. Denver man files claim after wife decapitated by Utah park gate The three people involved were related, Brown said. All rights reserved. Michaud, who lived with his Ugandan wife in Denver, Colorado, wasn't injured in the accident, but he told the news station he was completely covered in his wife's blood. She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? Michaud and Nakajjigo met over a dating app while they both had recently arrived in the Denver area. Two peopledied Friday while hikinginArches National Park in Utah. Michaud's filing clears the path for a full lawsuit, which is expected to be served within the coming months. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. GRAND COUNTY, Utah A 27-year-old Denver man filed a wrongful death claim against the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) on Oct. 22 after it says his wife was decapitated by a vehicle gate at Arches National Park in Grand County, Utah. Nakajjigo and Michaud, a French-born tech solutions architect, met on a dating app last year and tied the knot at a courthouse ceremony in March. NPS faces wrongful death claim after newlywed decapitated by We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. Video Esther Nakajjigo died on June 13 after a metal gate swung into a car she and her husband were in and sliced het head off Credit: Handout. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. They said claims by the familys lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a non-profit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. (AP Photo/Lindsay Whitehurst, File). "How do you measure someone like her? Elon Musk Wins Funding Secured Shareholder Lawsuit, Blog vs YouTube Over Other Websites: How to Choose, Behind the Story of Ghostbed vs. Purple Mattress Lawsuit, Investigation Reveals Goodyears Dunlop D402 Tires Have Caused Dozens of Motorcycle Accidents, Amputees Third Attempt at Holding Medical Personnel Responsible Pays Off. WebLudovic Michaud and his new wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were driving around Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when a metal gate whipped around, sliced through the 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther Widower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In According to the claim, 25-year-old Esther Nakajjigo was decapitated while sitting in the passenger seat of a car that was exiting Arches National Park. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. By the time Nakajjigo left Uganda to pursue a fully-funded leadership course in Denver, she had raised enough money to build health care facilities in her hometown. Produced by the Discovery Channel, this video highlights the geological marvels and cultural history of both Arches and Canyonlands, with footage of the spectacular and challenging red rock wilderness surrounding them. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Arches National "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Instead, the familys civil lawsuit largely focused on the amount of damages merited. The lawsuit, adds CBS, observed that the activists death could have been prevented if Arches National Park had simply purchased an $8 padlock for the unsecured gate. November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. future Oprah or Princess Diana Video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was in the front passenger seat as they drove toward the gate at about the same speed as other vehicles, according to a sheriffs report. Web6 Esther Nakajjigo was a Ugandan human rights activist and newlywed wife when the 25-year-old was killed at Arches National Park in 2020, decapitated by an unsecured gate that is The family of a womens rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death and personal injury claim against the National Park Service after she was decapitated by an unsecured gate at Utahs Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. "Our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good; a young woman influencer who was destined to become our societys future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates, or Oprah Winfrey," the claim says. WebDenver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes death Family awarded $10.5 million for newlywed decapitated by metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah Join the conversation! Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The family of a young woman who was killed by a swinging gate at Arches National Park has sued the park service over her death. He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. Market data provided by Factset. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. WebIn 2020, Ludovic Michaud was driving with his 25-year-old wife Esther Nakajjigo out of Utah's Arches National Park to get ice cream on June 13 when a metal gate swung into the car They married about three months prior. DENVER (AP) The family of a womens rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death and personal injury claim against the National Park Service after she was decapitated by an unsecured gate at Utahs Arches National Park. The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. For want of an $8.00 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good; a young woman influencer who was destined to become our societys future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates or Oprah Winfrey, according to the claim, which is a precursor to a formal lawsuit. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. She was decapitated. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Trapped Californians rescued from snow, helped by neighbors, Palo Alto: Woman killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crash, Dear Abby: I love my wife but I think I better get divorced, Dear Abby: My wife said she doesn't like it, but it's part of my life, Harriette Cole: She has gone too far with the remote work option, Bobcat seen using Highway 17 wildlife crossing hours after it opens, Authorities: Man bombed PG&E transformers in South San Jose, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Dear Abby: I was always in the back seat, one way or another, William backed Harry and Meghan's eviction, prefers brother never 'set foot in England again', Map in Murdaugh murder case: 5 deaths and a mysterious shooting, Ask Amy: I didn't ask for what I wanted, and I'm sad they couldn't guess, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information.