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WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. 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. She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. 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 She was decapitated. Legal Statement. 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. As they entered, high winds blew the park entrance gate a swinging pole back across the highway. 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. 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. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos. 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. NEW YORK POLICE SERGEANT FATALLY STRUCK IN WRONG-WAY CRASH. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. (CCA-BY-2.0). Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. The park which has over 2000 arches that 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. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. "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. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. Image via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr/user: Brian Turner. "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue. Michaud and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were in 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. 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. WebThe photo in this video of the arch is Corona Arch and I dont its in Archs national park. She married Michaud in March, just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines. She also created a popular reality television series that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. 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 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. We just dont want this to ever happen again, Michaud said in an interview Thursday. or redistributed. 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. Nakajjigo and Michaud, a French-born tech solutions architect, met on a dating app last year and tied the knot at a courthouse ceremony in March. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. According to the family's claim, three other people have died from similar accidents with unsecured gates over the past 32 years. No An official form of the United States government. Michaud, of Denver, is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against the US National Parks Service seeking $270million in damages. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. 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 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. Example video title will go here for this video. 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. Last updated: August 16, 2022 Was this page helpful? This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. "She was very strong personality, really funny, really smart," said Ludovic Michaud, Essie Nakajjigo's husband. They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. 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. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. 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. 7 CHILDREN INJURED IN NEW YORK BUS CRASH THAT DAMAGED HOME, The family's lawsuit claims when the national parks reopened in April 2020 after being shuttered due to COVID-19, rangers at the national park in Utah didn't secure the gate in place, which in effect "turned a metal pipe into a spear that went straight through the side of a car, decapitating and killing Esther Nakajjigo.". 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. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning. 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. 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. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos.. On October 22, Michaud filed a wrongful death claim against She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. The family is hoping to use money from the case to continue Essie's projects. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Nakijjijo, originally from Uganda, "was a world-renowned activist, movie and TV star as well as a youth influencer," the claim says. A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. After COVID-19 closures were lifted, the newlyweds took a trip to Arches National Park. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, hes an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. 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. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. I think thats what they meant to show but I could be wrong The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. Arches National Park is best known for its "The most important thing for me is to try continuing what she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. 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. 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, which has more than 2,000 natural stone arches,closed Delicate Arch on Friday for a about six hours before it reopened, the parksaid on Twitter. All rights reserved. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. Nakajjigo was involved in countless philanthropic endeavors. More Videos Next up in 5 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. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. She was consistently working to improve the lives of women in Africa and beyond. Traffic may back up between the entrance station and US 191. Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. 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. 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. 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. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. 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. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. The This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. 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. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. 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. 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. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! 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. Both of Nakijjijo's parents, who listed their addresses as Kamapala, Uganda, have also filed wrongful death claims. 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 trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. 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. 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. 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. 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. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. Provided by 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. 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 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. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. WebEsther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. She and Michaud were married in March, and the two traveled to Arches to celebrate the one-year anniversary of when they first met on a dating app. She's been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice, breaking news and enterprise. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.