She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. Michaud and Nakajjigo met over a dating app while they both had recently arrived in the Denver area. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. (AP Photo/Lindsay Whitehurst, File). 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 also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. Family photo. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The trial over a wrong death lawsuit of a Ugandan activist has begun. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling "The NPS have a duty to reasonably inspect, operate, and maintain these gates and guard against foreseeable dangers," the claims says. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was The National Park Service and Arches National Park are accused of not securing the gate, which was installed to swing in the wrong direction and was being held open by a flimsy metal tab that was worn down and rounded, according to the claim. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Upon leaving, an unsecured metal gate swung into the road, killing Nakajjigo who was sitting in the passenger seat. Traffic may back up between the entrance station and US 191. She and Michaud were married in March. 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. 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. They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. 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. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. 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. 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. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in Arches National Park. 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. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. 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. 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. Email: [email protected] The webcams below provide views from either end of the Arches National Park entrance road. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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. Drop us a note at [email protected]. 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 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. 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.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther 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. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. The suit was filed on June 8. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. "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. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. She also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. 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 A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. "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. 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. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Newlyweds Esther Essie Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic Ludo The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines, Do not sell or share my personal information. 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. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. 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. WebEsther Nakajjigo was killed at Utahs Arches National Park when a metal pipe from a swinging gate decapitated her. ", 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. The familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "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. Two peopledied Friday while hikinginArches National Park in Utah. 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 was consistently working to improve the lives of women in Africa and beyond. 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 Legal Statement. She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. 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. A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. 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 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. The three people involved were related, Brown said. 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. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said. 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. 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. 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). 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. The park which has over 2000 arches that "The woman I loved and I saw her for just her.". "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Market data provided by Factset. 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 Credit: Handout.
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