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. Denver man files claim after wife decapitated by Utah park gate WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A gavel. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park Arches National Nakajjigo grew up in Uganda and at 17 was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women shed donated her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center that provided free reproductive health services to young women. Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. 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. 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 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. U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed 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. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utahs Arches National Park 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. On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. 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. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. The most important thing for me is to try continuing what shes done, Michaud said. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. 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"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 family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM The show had an audience of 6.3 million every week. 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. The 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. 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(AP Photo/Lindsay Whitehurst, File). 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. 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. She moved to Boulder, Colorado, to attend the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators. "It could have happened to anyone and if nothing is done, it's going to happen again," he said. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. 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. Several dozen per day. 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 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. Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. 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. 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. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Family sues after newlywed is killed by gate at Arches park The suit was filed on June 8. 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. "The woman I loved and I saw her for just her.". Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. There was less than a second between when the gate started to move and when it struck the car and killed Nakajjigo, according to the report. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. Michaud's filing clears the path for a full lawsuit, which is expected to be served within the coming months. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. or redistributed. 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. 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. FOX 13 Investigates: Grisly decapitation of ambassador at Arches You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Courtesy Denver man files suit after wife's death at National Park - KMGH "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit 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. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. 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. On June 13, they had gone on a hike and had a picnic. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. She and Michaud were married in March. Legal Statement. More Videos Next up in 5 He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. Michaud is seeking $240 million in damages and Nakajjigo's parents are seeking $30 million. WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. CBS News reports that the case attracted significant attention, considering the gruesome circumstances and Nakajjigos status as a relatively well-known human rights activist. 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 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. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. death 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. NBC reported that he was flown to Moab Regional Hospital. The webcams below provide views from either end of the Arches National Park entrance road. 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.. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". I'm still struggling with that," Michaud said. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. The pair married in March of this year. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. 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. The gate barely missed Michaud. 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. (CCA-BY-2.0). Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. death Gate Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. 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 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. Arches National Park Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. Video 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. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. 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. 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Arches National Park, notes CBS News, had just re-opened recreation following a decrease in coronavirus cases. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. Video 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 sheriffs report. 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. By the time Nakajjigo left Uganda to pursue a fully-funded leadership course in Denver, she had raised enough money to build health care facilities in her hometown. 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. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. 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. 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 They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. 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 Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. National Park 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. Trial begins Ugandan woman's death in Arches National Park In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. Arches National Park accident: Esther Nakajjigo's family awarded He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. Newlywed killed by swinging gate at Arches National Park Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution," the tweet said.
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