Upon leaving, an unsecured metal gate swung into the road, killing Nakajjigo who was sitting in the passenger seat. 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 June 13, they had gone on a hike and had a picnic. 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. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. By his verdict, Judge Bruce Jenkins has shown the world how the American justice system works to hold its own government accountable and greatly values all lives, including that of Esther Nakajjigo, a remarkable young woman from Uganda, attorney Randi McGinn said in a statement announcing the award. Michaud, from France, took a job at a start-up. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Nakajjigo, adds CBS, had grown up in poverty. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. 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. 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. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. The webcams below provide views from either end of the Arches National Park entrance road. 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. 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. He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo 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. 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. A gavel. Legal Statement. She and Michaud were married in March. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Two peopledied Friday while hikinginArches National Park in Utah. 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. The gate is just before the visitors center as drivers leave the park, near Moab, Utah. "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. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos. 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 She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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. Provided by Legal Statement. 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. 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.. 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. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. 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. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. 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. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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! 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. 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. CBS News reports that the case attracted significant attention, considering the gruesome circumstances and Nakajjigos status as a relatively well-known human rights activist. 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.. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". 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. 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. 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. "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.". Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. Arches National Park is best known for its 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. Family photo. Michaud's filing clears the path for a full lawsuit, which is expected to be served within the coming months. 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. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. 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. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The park which has over 2000 arches that "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. 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 Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. 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. 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. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. Michaud, of Denver, is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. 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 couple had traveled to Arches in celebration of their one-year anniversary of meeting. 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 We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 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. WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. Nakajjigo moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute and began a social entrepreneurship program in 2019. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. More Videos Next up in 5 A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. 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. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. "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. 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, 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. Traffic may back up between the entrance station and US 191. 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. The three people involved were related, Brown said. 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. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (CCA-BY-2.0). It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. Several dozen per day. 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 She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. 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. 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. "How do you measure someone like her? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Drop us a note at tips@coloradosun.com. Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. 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. Market data provided by Factset. According to CBS News, neither the U.S. government nor the Nakajjigo family disputed the facts of the claim. 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 WebThe photo in this video of the arch is Corona Arch and I dont its in Archs national park. The familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. 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. 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. 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. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. All rights reserved. "The woman I loved and I saw her for just her.". 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. Listen online or download the iHeart App. / CBS Colorado. 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. ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. Nakajjigo was involved in countless philanthropic endeavors. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. 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. 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 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Courtesy 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.". "The most important thing for me is to try continuing what she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. 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 Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. 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. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. 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. 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 gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling 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. 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. 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. "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. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. 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. 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. "It could have happened to anyone and if nothing is done, it's going to happen again," he said. Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. 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. ", "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. 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. 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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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 also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. That same year, she was awarded the Woman Achiever Award from the United Nations Population Fund. 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. "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.