"We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Arches National Park: 2 people die after falling while hiking - USA 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. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. More Videos Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video. While the Nakajjigo family had initially sought more in compensatory damages, their attorneys celebrated the judgment, saying that it isby farthe largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history. The claim also argues that NPS regularly uses gates constructed "out of metal pipes with spear-like sharp ends," and that Arches National Park had "a set of these metal pipe gates with lance-like sharp ends at the entrance/exit of the park. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. The claim says the gate was left open and unrestrained, causing major damage to the hood and the front passenger fender, door and window. Family photo. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. WebThe family of Ugandan philanthropist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated by a traffic gate in front of her husband in Arches National Park in Utah, has been awarded $10.5m. Michaud's filing clears the path for a full lawsuit, which is expected to be served within the coming months. At 17, She was named an Ambassador for Uganda's Women girls by nonprofit organization IREX. Trial begins Ugandan woman's death in Arches National Park Arches National Park 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 Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. Nakajjigo moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute and began a social entrepreneurship program in 2019. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. Trial begins two years after newlywed was beheaded by metal gate 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. However, in his 10-page decision, Jenkins observed that the case was somewhat unusual, insofar as neither the victim nor the plaintiffs were U.S. citizens. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? 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. National Park She was decapitated. 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. In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue. Its near it but not there. WebThe United States will pay family members of a Ugandan human rights activist who was killed in a 2020 accident at Arches National Park more than $10 million in damages, a federal Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. Arches National They married about three months prior. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to Webcam Entrance Station Webcam On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. Listen online or download the iHeart App. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. 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 "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.". This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The pair married in March of this year. "How do you measure someone like her? Market data provided by Factset. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo Michaud, 26, were driving to get ice cream during a camping trip June 13 when a metal gate blew closed in strong winds and sliced through the side of their car like a hot knife through butter, according to the administrative claim, which was filed in October. 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. She was best known for a reality show in Uganda that reached millions of viewers. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. 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. 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. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. ", "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. 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After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. She described Nakajjigo as a prominent women's rights activist who rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women on issues such as education and healthcare. 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. NPS faces wrongful death claim after newlywed decapitated by The humanitarian had traveled to the US to further her studies and was awarded with the Luff Peace Fellowship by the University of Boulder in Colorado. U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed Michaud says he wants to keep her legacy going, but he also wants the gates at National Parks and forests across the U.S. to be safe for visitors. The National Park Service and Arches National Park are accused of not securing the gate, which was installed to swing in the wrong direction and was being held open by a flimsy metal tab that was worn down and rounded, according to the claim. 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! All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. Nakajjigo was born in Kampala, Uganda, and used her university tuition money to start a nonprofit community health care center when she was 17, providing free reproductive health services to girls and young women, according to a biography included in the claim. 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, wrote Chang, who plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected.. 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. Arches National Park is best known for its Michaud's claim alleges that if the gate had been properly installed or an $8 padlock had been placed to secure it from swinging, the world wouldn't have lost "a young woman influencer destined to become our society's future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates, or Oprah Winfrey. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. "I don't know how I could stand to see another thing like that happen, and I just want to make sure we do whatever we can to avoid, to save another life. 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. 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 familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in 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. Legal Statement. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in Arches National Park. The National Park Service and Arches National Park are accused of not securing the gate, which was installed to swing in the wrong direction and was being held open by a flimsy metal tab that was worn down and rounded, according to the claim. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. The tragic accident is now the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit Michaud and Nakajjigo's family are pursuing, in which they argue that the U.S. Park Service was negligent and did not maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to Nakajjigo's death. Lindsay Clancy's murder of 3 kids shows cruel trick psychosis plays, Train derailment in Springfield, Ohio as residents ordered to shelter in place, Rape survivor 'sobbed seeing Gabby Petito bodycam vid after same cop did nothing', Mom 'stabs 3 of her kids to death and wounds 2 others in unsupervised visit', 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, A 25-year-old activist was beheaded in a freak accident while enjoying a trip to Arches National Park in Utah, 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. 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. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. Denver woman Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic "Ludo" Michaud, were visiting Arches National Park in mid-June when a freak accident left Nakajjigo dead. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. The United States government will pay more than $10 million to the family of a Ugandan human rights activist who was decapitated in a 2020 accident at Arches National Park in Utah. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. 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. Denver woman killed during visit to Arches National Park It's known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. death 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. In opening statements Monday in Salt Lake City, attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigo's family said they were seeking $140 million in damages from the government. Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. 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. 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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. Arches National Park accident: Esther Nakajjigo's family awarded WebThe photo in this video of the arch is Corona Arch and I dont its in Archs national park. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. I think thats what they meant to show but I could be wrong RELATED: Search of Aurora house in case of missing teen Lashaya Stine continues, RELATED: Head brewer at Denver Beer Co. dies in climbing accident, SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Local stories from 9NEWS. 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. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. "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. 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. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. WebThe family of a womens rights activist who was killed in a gruesome accident at a national park is suing a US agency over her tragic death. Please enter valid email address to continue. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. Attorney Deborah Chang, who filed the claim on behalf of Michaud, as well as Nakajjigos parents, wrote that the National Park Service has for years used entrance and exit gates made of metal poles with spear-like sharp ends, and they were known to swing into roadways when left unsecured. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. Michauds attorneys also said the federal government was aware of the dangers, citing a 1980 accident in which a man was impaled by an unsecured gate as he rode in the back of a pickup in Californias Stanislaus National Forest. After requesting that the family leave the courtroom, she recounted the moment Michaud realized his wife had been killed, when he inhaled the copper-tinged smell of blood, turned to figure out what it was and saw she was dead. Nakajjigo worked on fundraising to open a hospital in an underserved part of Kampala, Uganda's capital, became a philanthropic celebrity and immigrated to the United States for a fellowship at the Boulder, Colorado-based Watson Institute for emerging leaders. The gate barely missed Michaud. He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didn't have a Bachelor's degree. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. The gate is just before the visitors center as drivers leave the park, near Moab, Utah. Ludovic Michaud was driving around the scenic red rock landscapes of Utah's Arches National Park on a windy spring day in 2020 when something unthinkable happened: A metal gate whipped around, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated his new 25-year-old wife, Esther Nakajjigo. "I had a ton of flashbacks. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. "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. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. Denver man files claim after wife decapitated by Utah park gate 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 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.
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