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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. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. 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. 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. All rights reserved. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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. 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. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. 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. 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. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. 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. Two peopledied Friday while hikinginArches National Park in Utah. 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 Michaud, of Denver, is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. 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. Family sues after newlywed is killed by gate at Arches park 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. I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. In his ruling, Judge Jenkins said that the death was gruesome and overwhelmingly shocking.. Family photo. 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. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. An activist's dreams 'were about to come true.' Then, a horrific Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. death ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet 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. 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. Trial to begin for human rights activist killed by gate in Arches 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. "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. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Arches National Park, notes CBS News, had just re-opened recreation following a decrease in coronavirus cases. Widower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". A newlywed couples road trip to Arches National Park in Utah ended in tragedy when a metal gate at the park exit swung across the road and decapitated the 25-year-old woman as she rode in a car. 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. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Please enter valid email address to continue. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Arches National Park CBS News 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. The pair married in March of this year. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Arches National Park 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Twist after newlywed decapitated by gate at national park - Yahoo! 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. 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. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. 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In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue. She moved to Boulder, Colorado, to attend the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators. Several dozen per day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. 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. 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. Michaud and Nakajjigo met over a dating app while they both had recently arrived in the Denver area. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? "The NPS have a duty to reasonably inspect, operate, and maintain these gates and guard against foreseeable dangers," the claims says. Arches National Park is best known for its Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. "It could have happened to anyone and if nothing is done, it's going to happen again," he said. 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 ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The gate barely missed Michaud. 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. The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. 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, 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. 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. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. 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. 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. "How do you measure someone like her? Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. 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. 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 U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. ", "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. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. Nakajjigo was involved in countless philanthropic endeavors. She's done more at the age of 25 than most people do in their entire lives," she said. 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 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. 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. 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. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was 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 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. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. Video He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com Upon leaving, an unsecured metal gate swung into the road, killing Nakajjigo who was sitting in the passenger seat. 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. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. 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.