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. 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. 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. Both claims ask for $15 million in damages for wrongful death. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. In his ruling, Judge Jenkins said that the death was gruesome and overwhelmingly shocking.. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Example video title will go here for this video. Several dozen per day. On the edge of the park, a metal gate normally secured with a lock was left untethered. 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. "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. 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 Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. 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. 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. WebEsther Nakajjigo was killed at Utahs Arches National Park when a metal pipe from a swinging gate decapitated her. 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. Twist after newlywed decapitated by gate at national park - Yahoo! 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. WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. All rights reserved. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in Arches National Park. The gate is just before the visitors center as drivers leave the park, near Moab, Utah. 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. She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. 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. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. 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. 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. Drop us a note at tips@coloradosun.com. Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information 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. NBC reported that he was flown to Moab Regional Hospital. 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. 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 Trial to begin for human rights activist killed by gate in Arches 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. 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 The familys claim said that three other people in cars were killed by such gates on National Park Service property since 1988. 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. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". 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. ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. 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. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. Webcam Entrance Station Webcam Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. The claim says the gate was left open and unrestrained, causing major damage to the hood and the front passenger fender, door and window. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. FOX 13 Investigates: Grisly decapitation of ambassador at Arches "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. Family sues after newlywed is killed by gate at Arches park U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. 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. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. Nakajjigo moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute and began a social entrepreneurship program in 2019. 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. 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. 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. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. Newlywed killed by swinging gate at Arches National Park This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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. 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We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Chief Ranger Scott Brown said a 65-year-old man and 60-year-old woman died after falling At 17, She was named an Ambassador for Uganda's Women girls by nonprofit organization IREX. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. Webcams 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Michaud, of Denver, is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. The gate barely missed Michaud. A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. Michaud and Nakajjigo met over a dating app while they both had recently arrived in the Denver area. Arches National Park: 2 people die after falling while hiking - USA Family photo. 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. 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 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. 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. Video Please enter valid email address to continue. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines, Do not sell or share my personal information. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. 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. Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utahs Arches National Park Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. 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. Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. 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 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. 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. 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. "It could have happened to anyone and if nothing is done, it's going to happen again," he said. She was decapitated. "We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. Legal Statement. Nakajjigo worked on fundraising to open a hospital in an underserved part of Kampala, Uganda's capital, became a philanthropic celebrity and immigrated to the United States for a fellowship at the Boulder, Colorado-based Watson Institute for emerging leaders. All rights reserved. An activist's dreams 'were about to come true.' Then, a horrific WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. 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. 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. Michaud is seeking $240 million in damages and Nakajjigo's parents are seeking $30 million. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. She moved to Boulder, Colorado, to attend the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. Trial begins Ugandan woman's death in Arches National Park The claim also argues that NPS regularly uses gates constructed "out of metal pipes with spear-like sharp ends," and that Arches National Park had "a set of these metal pipe gates with lance-like sharp ends at the entrance/exit of the park. 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 October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". I'm still struggling with that," 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.". A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was 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 Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. Activist, 25, hailed as future Oprah or Princess Diana is 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. The three people involved were related, Brown said. 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 she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. 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. Ludovic Michaud and Essie Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud), Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. 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. More Videos Next up in 5 Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. The show had an audience of 6.3 million every week. 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. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? Widower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In death 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. future Oprah or Princess Diana 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. 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. "The woman I loved and I saw her for just her.". 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!
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