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. Trial begins two years after newlywed was beheaded by metal gate 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. 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. National Park 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. Arches National Park In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue. The tragic accident is now the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit Michaud and Nakajjigo's family are pursuing, in which they argue that the U.S. Park Service was negligent and did not maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to Nakajjigo's death. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who is originally from Paris but now lives in Denver. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. We loved getting out and going to beautiful places," Michaud said. Arches National Shelly Bradbury is a breaking news reporter who joined The Denver Post in November 2019. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! She previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. They married about three months prior. 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. Market data provided by Factset. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. The young Ugandan human rights activist was decapitated by an unsecured metal gate on the periphery of Arches National Park. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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 The webcams below provide views from either end of the Arches National Park entrance road. Trial to begin for human rights activist killed by gate in Arches "Despite this fact, the NPS has done nothing to ensure the safety of its visitors and guests.". 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.". 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. WebMOAB, Utah Ludo Michaud heard a loud noise. 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. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. 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. This story has been updated to correct Michauds age. Market data provided by Factset. Courtesy 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. / CBS Colorado. 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. No An official form of the United States government. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died in June 2020 as she and her husband of three months drove out of the park, in southern Utah. The park which has over 2000 arches that ", First published on November 13, 2020 / 7:49 AM. 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. 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. Claim says gate penetrated car of a Denver man and his new wife during a strong windstorm at Utahs Arches National Park. They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June from its coronavirus shutdown. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. The suit was filed on June 8. The gate barely missed Michaud. 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. "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. The Legal Statement. Telling stories that matter in a dynamic, evolving state. In the fatal incident, a gust of wind apparently dislodged it and sent it smashing into the passenger side of the couples rented car. 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. Nelson, the government's attorney, said an appropriate award would be $3.5 million, far less than the $140 million being pursued. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. More Videos Next up in 5 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. WebWhen I went to Arches National Park in 2021, I got turned around at the gate. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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.. While growing up in Uganda, Nakajjigo used her college tuition funds to open up a nonprofit community education center in her home country. "Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again," Michaud said. Michaud is seeking $240 million in damages and Nakajjigo's parents are seeking $30 million. death She was also named Uganda's Ambassador for Women and Girls at the ceremony; just a few of her numerous humanitarian awards. Chang said she plans to file a formal lawsuit if the claim is rejected. Michaud is asking for more than $220 million in damages for wrongful death, and $20 million in damages for personal injury. 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. The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. Chang has filed a $270 million claim for wrongful death. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, died on June 13, 2020 when she, along with her new husband Ludovic Michaud, visited Utah. or redistributed. 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. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. WebHikers walk beside the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. WebThis incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utahs Arches National Park Webcam Entrance Station Webcam A 30-year-old man who also fell was hospitalized; his current condition is unknown. She was living in Boulder, Colorado, and attending the Watson Institute, a program for young entrepreneurs and innovators, when she met Michaud. 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. The pair married in March of this year. 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. "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. It's likely the first step in a lengthy federal lawsuit. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. 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. 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 He told NBC that the harrowing accident has left him traumatized, and he continues to suffer from PTSD months after. just as COVID-19 was starting to make U.S. headlines, Do not sell or share my personal information. WebUSA TODAY 0:00 0:49 Two people died Friday while hiking in Arches National Park in Utah. Fox News Flash top headlines for December 6. The trial over a wrong death lawsuit of a Ugandan activist has begun. 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. The claim argues that an $8 padlock or proper maintenance would have prevented the death. 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 Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigo's family, on Monday described the death in gruesome detail. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Arches National Park: 2 people die after falling while hiking - USA We take pride in exposing the hypocrisy of corporations, other organizations, and individuals whose actions put innocent people in harms way. ", "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. In his ruling, Judge Jenkins said that the death was gruesome and overwhelmingly shocking.. 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. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park "She really loved the Denver vibe and so do I. ", The widower described his late wife as someone who was "always willing to help.". Webcams He is seeking a little more than $240 million in damages, while Nakajjigos parents are seeking $30 million. 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. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. You may experience delays during the busy season between March and October and on holiday weekends. All rights reserved. Shes got quite a few projects started, and we need to make sure those projects survive after her. 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 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. 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. 2 min read June 17, 2021 - 6:27AM Esther Listen online or download the iHeart App. Traffic may back up between the entrance station and US 191. 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. 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. 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. In the courts ruling, Judge Jenkins awarded $9.5 million to Nakajjigos husband, $700,000 to her mother, and $350,000 to her father. 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. "It could have happened to anyone and if nothing is done, it's going to happen again," he said. In Colorado, she met Michaud, who had moved there from France. "I was a couple of inches from dying, but I didnt, and right now I have a mission: Its to make sure what shes done continues," said Michaud. 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. 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. 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 metal gate at Arches National Park killed a woman. Its now the A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was 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. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the lawsuit said. Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were on vacation in eastern Utah, visiting national parks across the region several months after their wedding. RELATED: Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M Wrongful Death Claim Against Arches National Park. She's done more at the age of 25 than most people do in their entire lives," she said. Then the car carrying him and his wife stopped. "The most important thing for me is to try continuing what she's done," Michaud said to The Associated Press. Arches National Park is best known for its pristine sandstone arches and its massive red Delicate Arch, which has featured in countless Instagram photos. Suspect arrested after 6 stabbed in downtown L.A. 3 arrested for nearly $1 million in stolen student, Carjacking suspect shot in wild chase in L.A. County, Newport Beach home dangling after cliffside collapse, Over $38M stolen from low-income SoCal families, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics. The Grand County Sheriffs Office is investigating the incident. "The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. "The end of the gate impaled the car like a lance, and literally beheaded his newly-wed bride right in front of him.". Widower Struggles With Loss After Wife Decapitated By Gate In Michaud, from France, took a job at a start-up. ", "What he saw and experienced that day, I cannot even imagine," said Deborah Chang, an attorney representing Michaud and the Nakajjigo family. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. 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. They were married in March 2020 and headed to Arches on a belated honeymoon as soon as the park reopened from its coronavirus shutdown. 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. CBS News Read more about Traffic and Travel Tips. WebThey said claims by the family's lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a nonprofit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for 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. 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 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. 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. Her family is filing a $270 million wrongful death claim against the park, saying her death was preventable. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Legal Reader is devoted to protecting consumers. 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 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The gate is just before the visitors center as drivers leave the park, near Moab, Utah. Its near it but not there. Activist, 25, hailed as future Oprah or Princess Diana is Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. FOX 13 Investigates: Grisly decapitation of ambassador at Arches The most famous arch is the Delicate Arch which Is in Archs National Park. 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. She'd come to Colorado to learn how to bolster her business acumen at the Watson Institute in Boulder. Nakajjigo moved to Boulder, Colorado when she was offered a full scholarship to the Watson Institute and began a social entrepreneurship program in 2019. A gavel. He didn't know Nakajjigo had a massive following in her native Uganda. 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. CBS News reports that the case attracted significant attention, considering the gruesome circumstances and Nakajjigos status as a relatively well-known human rights activist. 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. A gust of wind apparently dislodged the arm of the metal gate, which swung across the roadway. She received numerous other humanitarian awards and created a popular reality television series aimed at empowering young mothers. Denver man files claim after wife decapitated by Utah park gate 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. 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. 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. "I had a ton of flashbacks. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. All rights reserved. "I'm still trying to figure out how to move forward, how to wake up in the morning.