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 Webcams They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. 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. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good.". Michaud is seeking $240 million in damages and Nakajjigo's parents are seeking $30 million. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Market data provided by Factset. NPS faces wrongful death claim after newlywed decapitated by Park staff told investigators that the gates own weight usually kept it in place, according to a report from the Grand County sheriffs office. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. ", "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. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. They married about three months prior. He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. One of the Denver couple's stops was Arches National Park near Moab. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She was best known for a reality show in Uganda that reached millions of viewers. 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. 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. Nakajjigo was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, and started a social entrepreneurship program in early 2019. or redistributed. 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. Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes The suit was filed on June 8. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. 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. 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! Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. "How do you measure someone like her? Around 2 p.m., they were driving to get ice cream in the town of Moab when the gate swung into their path. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. 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 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 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. 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! He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didn't have a Bachelor's degree. Last updated: August 16, 2022 Was this page helpful? 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. 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 gate 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. A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. 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. Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. death / CBS Colorado. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Arches National Park accident: Esther Nakajjigo's family awarded 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 Market data provided by Factset. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. Nakajjigo, adds CBS, had grown up in poverty. Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther The park was at capacity and it was just after 8 a.m. National parks want to U.S. Government to Pay $10m to Family of Ugandan Activist Killed A gavel. 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. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. 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. We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in 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. No An official form of the United States government. ", "What he saw and experienced that day, I cannot even imagine," said Deborah Chang, an attorney representing Michaud and the Nakajjigo family. Upon leaving, an unsecured metal gate swung into the road, killing Nakajjigo who was sitting in the passenger seat. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Arches National Park is best known for its National Park 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. Provided by FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. WebEsther Nakajjigo was killed at Utahs Arches National Park when a metal pipe from a swinging gate decapitated her. Its near it but not there. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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 A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. 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. The pair married in March of this year. 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. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. 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. 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. The National parks Service didn't respond to a request for comment on the claim from The Sun. A lot of people just want to continue that because thats what she would have wanted from us.. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. Widower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In Denver woman killed during visit to Arches National Park The trial over a wrong death lawsuit of a Ugandan activist has begun. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. On June 13, they had gone on a hike and had a picnic. She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. More Videos Next up in 5 She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. All rights reserved. Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. All rights reserved. NBC reported that he was flown to Moab Regional Hospital. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". 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. He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. 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. The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. 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. (CCA-BY-2.0). FOX 13 Investigates: Grisly decapitation of ambassador at Arches 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. 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. 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. She also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. 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. She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. We just dont want this to ever happen again, Michaud said in an interview Thursday. 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. 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. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. Two peopledied Friday while hikinginArches National Park in Utah. Arches National We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. According to CBS News, neither the U.S. government nor the Nakajjigo family disputed the facts of the claim. The Music, radio and podcasts, all free. 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. 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. 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. "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. Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. Please enter valid email address to continue. Legal Statement. 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. WebUSA TODAY 0:00 0:49 Two people died Friday while hiking in Arches National Park in Utah. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. The claim says the gate was left open and unrestrained, causing major damage to the hood and the front passenger fender, door and window. "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM 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. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. Arches National Park