Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com They married about three months prior. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". 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. She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. 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. 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.. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. 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Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. No An official form of the United States government. WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. The park which has over 2000 arches that Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. 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 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. "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.". 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. 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, She also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in Arches National Park. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. 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. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said. She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Lawmakers targeting hospital facility fees, (720) 263-2338 Call, text, Signal or WhatsApp, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nakajjigo moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute and began a social entrepreneurship program in 2019. 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. 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. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. 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 claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. 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. As they entered, high winds blew the park entrance gate a swinging pole back across the highway. 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. 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. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. 7 CHILDREN INJURED IN NEW YORK BUS CRASH THAT DAMAGED HOME, The family's lawsuit claims when the national parks reopened in April 2020 after being shuttered due to COVID-19, rangers at the national park in Utah didn't secure the gate in place, which in effect "turned a metal pipe into a spear that went straight through the side of a car, decapitating and killing Esther Nakajjigo.". 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. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. All rights reserved. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. 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. 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. 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. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Park staff told investigators the gate was usually left unsecured, and that typically the gates own weight kept it in place, so it was not locked in place by any other means. The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo Michaud, 27, were driving out of the park during a camping trip on June 13 when strong winds blew the metal gate into the side of their car and penetrated it like a hot knife through butter, according to the administrative claim, which was filed in October. The claim says the gate was left open and unrestrained, causing major damage to the hood and the front passenger fender, door and window. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. 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. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. 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. Legal Statement. ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. ", "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. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. Family photo. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. She was best known for a reality show in Uganda that reached millions of viewers. 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. She was decapitated. 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. (CCA-BY-2.0). For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. The pair married in March of this year. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, hes an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. 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. She was consistently working to improve the lives of women in Africa and beyond. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The show had an audience of 6.3 million every week. Webcam Entrance Station Webcam Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos.. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against "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. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. WebAccording 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. 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. 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. CBS News reports that the case attracted significant attention, considering the gruesome circumstances and Nakajjigos status as a relatively well-known human rights activist. In his ruling, Judge Jenkins said that the death was gruesome and overwhelmingly shocking.. Michaud is seeking $240 million in damages and Nakajjigo's parents are seeking $30 million. 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 He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. 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. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos. 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 gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. 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 three people involved were related, Brown said. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. 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. She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. 2 injured, including officer, in Aurora crash, 2 hurt, including officer, in rollover crash, Documentary featuring local family coping with loss after suicide aims to open up conversations, 77 inches of snow fall at Colorado ski area in 9 days, Mandela Washington Fellowship program at Drexel University, Luff Peace Fellowship at Watson Institute, Search of Aurora house in case of missing teen Lashaya Stine continues, Head brewer at Denver Beer Co. dies in climbing accident. Nakajjigo was involved in countless philanthropic endeavors. 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? I think thats what they meant to show but I could be wrong 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. She moved to Boulder, Colorado, to attend the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. 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 gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Several dozen per day. 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. WebEsther 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. 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. 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. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. 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. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. 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. After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. "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. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. "The woman I loved and I saw her for just her.". At 17, She was named an Ambassador for Uganda's Women girls by nonprofit organization IREX. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. 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. 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. Legal Statement. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. 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. Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. Last updated: August 16, 2022 Was this page helpful? 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. WebWidower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In Arches National Park 1,777,542 views Nov 12, 2020 30K Dislike Save CBS Colorado 98.1K subscribers 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. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. 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. All rights reserved. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. Arches National Park, notes CBS News, had just re-opened recreation following a decrease in coronavirus cases. 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. WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. I'm still struggling with that," Michaud 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. The 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. She and Michaud were married in March. 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 most important thing for me is to try continuing what she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. The familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. 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. Courtesy 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. 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. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. Its near it but not there. Arches National Park is best known for its She's done more at the age of 25 than most people do in their entire lives," she said.
