Webcam Entrance Station Webcam After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. gate Michaud, of Denver, is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. An activist's dreams 'were about to come true.' Then, a horrific In an email to The Associated Press, National Park Service spokeswoman Vanessa Lacayo expressed sympathy for Nakajjigos family, friends and those whose lives she touched but did not address the wrongful death claim. 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. 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. "How do you measure someone like her? The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. Activist, 25, hailed as future Oprah or Princess Diana is WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. 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. 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. The couple planned to throw a big wedding in Uganda once the coronavirus pandemic - instead, Michaud is now in mourning and hopes that his claim will save others from experiencing a similar pain. A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. Family photo. 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 says the gate was left open and unrestrained, causing major damage to the hood and the front passenger fender, door and window. ", "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. 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. "The most important thing for me is to try continuing what she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. Several dozen per day. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. The gate barely missed Michaud. 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. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Arches National Park, which has more than 2,000 natural stone arches,closed Delicate Arch on Friday for a about six hours before it reopened, the parksaid on Twitter. A metal gate at Arches National Park killed a woman. Its now the They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. 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. "The NPS have a duty to reasonably inspect, operate, and maintain these gates and guard against foreseeable dangers," the claims says. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. 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. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said. (CCA-BY-2.0). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. 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 She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. 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. CBS News reports that the case attracted significant attention, considering the gruesome circumstances and Nakajjigos status as a relatively well-known human rights activist. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". 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. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. 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. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Legal Statement. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," 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. Suspect arrested after 6 stabbed in downtown L.A. 3 arrested for nearly $1 million in stolen student, Carjacking suspect shot in wild chase in L.A. County, Newport Beach home dangling after cliffside collapse, Over $38M stolen from low-income SoCal families, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The three people involved were related, Brown said. 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. National Park "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. 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 Market data provided by Factset. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. According to CBS News, neither the U.S. government nor the Nakajjigo family disputed the facts of the claim. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. They married about three months prior. U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed death 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. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. DENVER (CBS4) - The family of a woman killed while visiting Arches National Park is hoping they can change the dangerous conditions that lead to her death and continue the philanthropy she inspired around the globe. She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utahs Arches National Park ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. 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. 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. WebEsther Essie Nakajjigo was 25 years old when an unsecured gate inside Arches National Park swung open and impaled the vehicle she was a passenger in, killing her. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. Denver woman killed during visit to Arches National Park Denver man files claim after wife decapitated by Utah park gate We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. On June 13, they had gone on a hike and had a picnic. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. The suit was filed on June 8. The gate is just before the visitors center as drivers leave the park, near Moab, Utah. future Oprah or Princess Diana 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. 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. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. Arches National Park accident: Esther Nakajjigo's family awarded Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. 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. Gate 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In 2018, she participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship program at Drexel University, and she was also the recipient of the 2018 Luff Peace Fellowship at Watson Institute. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. Provided by All rights reserved. The pair married in March of this year. Ludovic Michaud says that his wife, 25-year-old Esther Nakajjigo, was decapitated when a metal gate swung into their 2020 Chevy Malibu as they were leaving the park on June 13, 2020, according to the claim. 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. 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 Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling into the bowl area near Delicate Arch. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. 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. Michaud, from France, took a job at a start-up. 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. WebThe family of a young woman who was killed by a swinging gate at Arches National Park has sued the park service over her death. A YOUNG activist hailed as a "future Princess Diana or Oprah" for her work was decapitated in a gruesome accident while she and her husband were hiking in Arches National Park. Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. 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. death You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. 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. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Market data provided by Factset. 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. Its near it but not there. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The National Park Service has, in fact, known for decades that an unsecured metal pipe gate creates an undetectable hazard and dangerous condition for its park invitees, the claim reads, noting three other instances since 1988 in which people in cars were killed by such gates. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. Opening statements previewed how the trial will hinge less on varying accounts of the accident and instead focus on Nakajiigo's biography and earning potential, which is used to calculate a portion of the damages. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. Drop us a note at tips@coloradosun.com. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. 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 WebHuman rights activist Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020, when a traffic control gate blew into her rental car at Arches National Park in the US state of Utah. According to CBS News, Esther Essie Nakajjigo was killed after a metal gate at Arches sliced through the passenger side of the vehicle driven by her newlywed husband. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling Deborah Chang, the Los Angeles-based attorney representing Michaud, claimed there was nothing he could do to swerve out of the way of the gate that killed his wife and missed him by a hair. "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Last updated: August 16, 2022 Was this page helpful? Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. 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 FOX 13 Investigates: Grisly decapitation of ambassador at Arches The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was on a trip to the Utah park with her husband of three months when the gate swung across the road and struck their car on June 13, 2020. "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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. We just dont want this to ever happen again, Michaud said in an interview Thursday. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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.
How To Cancel Vrchat Plus Subscription,
Coroner's Court Newport Gwent,
Articles A
