He said he didn't deny Nakajjigo was an extraordinary person, but argued it was difficult to speculate what kind of work she would have gone on to do. "The 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. (AP Photo/Lindsay Whitehurst, File). All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. 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. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. 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. I think thats what they meant to show but I could be wrong She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. 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. Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. Market data provided by Factset. NBC reported that he was flown to Moab Regional Hospital. Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. They married about three months prior. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. 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 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. Webcam Entrance Station Webcam 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 Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". 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. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. 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. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". The United Nations Population Fund gave her a Woman Achiever Award when she was 17, and she was named Ugandas Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. "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. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. Upon leaving, an unsecured metal gate swung into the road, killing Nakajjigo who was sitting in the passenger seat. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com She was decapitated. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was According to CBS News, neither the U.S. government nor the Nakajjigo family disputed the facts of the claim. 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. 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. 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. 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. WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. 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. 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. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. 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. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. 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. 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. 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. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. 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. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. "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. Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. 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. 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.. 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. 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. On June 13, they had gone on a hike and had a picnic. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. The park which has over 2000 arches that Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling 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. On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. ", "What he saw and experienced that day, I cannot even imagine," said Deborah Chang, an attorney representing Michaud and the Nakajjigo family. The gate barely missed Michaud. ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. 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, In his ruling, Judge Jenkins said that the death was gruesome and overwhelmingly shocking.. 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. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. Example video title will go here for this video. 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 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. 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.". Several dozen per day. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. Provided by Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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.. She was best known for a reality show in Uganda that reached millions of viewers. (CCA-BY-2.0). All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The We are unapologetic in our dedication to informing the public and unafraid to call out those who are more focused on profits than peoples safety. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. No An official form of the United States government. November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM The couple had traveled to Arches in celebration of their one-year anniversary of meeting. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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 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 living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. She and Michaud were married in March. More Videos Next up in 5 She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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! "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Michaud and Nakajjigo met over a dating app while they both had recently arrived in the Denver area. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. 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. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. 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. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. 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. ", "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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in Arches National Park. We just dont want this to ever happen again, Michaud said in an interview Thursday. 4 hospitalized in San Pedro beach shooting, Angelino Heights plagued by street racing, residents, SoCal man convicted of rape, molestation attacks, Weekend clouds make way for sunshine by midweek, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, CA awaits key decisions from reparations task force, LAPD looking for autistic man last seen in downtown, Ducks assistant coach diagnosed with melanoma, LAPD searching for driver in fatal San Pedro hit-and-run, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet, Grizzlies Morant to miss Clippers, Lakers games, Festival of Whales returns to Dana Point Harbor, AlienCon attracting space enthusiasts to Pasadena, Folks near Jack Daniels facility see whiskey fungus. 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. She also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. 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. 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. 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. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park.