Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was driving around the stunning Arches National Park in Utah, US, in 2020 along with her husband Ludovic Michaud when the unthinkable happened. He no longer has a TV in his apartment because the sight of any blood is triggering, he said. Posted at 10:15 PM, Nov 12, 2020 During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential. Nakajigos family and Michaud are suing the U.S. government for negligence as well as negligent infliction of emotional distress on the part of Michaud, who had to witness the grisly scene. In his judgement, Jenkins said the government had provided a more reasonable projection of Nakajjigos earnings potential. Michaud hopes he and Nakajjigos family can continue her legacy. First published on November 12, 2020 / 2:34 PM. Woman's decapitation at Arches National Park leads to $270M wrongful He spoke, too, about the difficulty of sending his wife's body to Uganda in a cardboard box; how only her hands, one of them broken, were visible at her funeral; and how he moved to a new apartment after the accident, unable to bear the reminders of the life he'd shared with Nakajjigo. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigo's death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan women's rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los Nakajjigo received numerous international accolades and awards and had come to the United States to further her education, participating in programs at Drexel University in Philadelphia as a Mandela Washington Fellow and at the Watson Institute in Boulder, Colorado, where she was the recipient of a Luff Peace Fellowship. 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, Randi McGinn, the familys attorney said in a statement. Instead, "the end of the lance-like gate pierced the side of their car and penetrated it like a hot knife through butter." On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the. Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgment, saying it was the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history. The United Nations Population Fund awarded her a Woman Achiever Award," the claim states. She met Ludovic Michaud in Boulder, Colorado, when she went there for a leadership accelerator program in 2019, and the two of them married in March 2020. According to Deborah Chang, the Los Angeles-based trial attorney representing Michaud, there was nothing he could have done to swerve out of the way of the gate that killed his wife and narrowly missed him. 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 now at the center of a wrongful death trial. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. The U.S. government has admitted responsibility for Nakajjigos death and for the emotional distress inflicted upon her husband, an attorney for the plaintiffs said. Newlywed woman decapitated by car park entrance gate blown open in high Later, his chin trembled as Nelson delivered the government's apology. Disputing the family's claims the victim was on track to become the CEO of a non-profit who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the U.S. government must pay her family more than $10 million in damages. Nakajjigo, who went by Essie, was a womens rights champion in Uganda. Esther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. Esther Nakajjigo was beheaded after the wind whipped a metal gate round cutting into the passenger side of the car, Esther Nakajjigo with her husband Ludovic Michaud, A picture of the gates that led to the young woman's death. At just 17, using her college tuition money, she created a nonprofit community health center. The claim describes Nakajjigos final moments in graphic detail and says the end of the lance-like gate pierced the side of their car and penetrated it like a hot knife through butter.. Michaud's wife, Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was a celebrated human rights activist in her home country of Uganda. Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in Arches 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S., Michaud, a video streaming technology solution architect who is originally from France, and Nakajjigo decided they wanted to marry. The sum they are seeking has not been disclosed, however a previous claim filed by the family against the National Park Service which is the step before a lawsuit can be filed asked for more than $A351 million. Instead, Michaud met his wife's family -- who traveled to the States from Uganda -- for the first time just before the trial started. Attorneys representing the U.S. commended her work, yet noted her most recent job was working at a restaurant making $15 per hour. Nakajjigo had been celebrated for using money earmarked for her college tuition to instead open a nonprofit community health center in Uganda at age 17. 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 same year, Nakajjigo was named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Theres a newsletter that went out to all the parks and the National Park Service that warned of this decades ago. SALT LAKE CITY Ludovic "Ludo" Michaud has tortured himself with a lot of "what ifs?" By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Mr Michaud and Ms Nakajjigos family have filed a lawsuit in a US court accusing the National Park Service of negligence, Fox 13 reports. in the two-plus years since his wife, Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo, was hit and killed by an unsecured gate while the couple was leaving Arches National Park. Esther Nakajjigo's horrified husband was driving when a metal gate was whipped round in the wind and cut into the car where she was sitting and beheading her in Arches National Park in Utah, US. Monday's closing arguments focused heavily on the differences in testimony made by several economic experts, two of whom projected that Nakajjigo would have earned at least $9 million in her lifetime and the third who estimated Nakajjigo would have made between about $750,000 and $938,000. All rights reserved. At age 17, Nakajjigo was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women, according to the claim. All this building towards the $140million in damages. Donate to the newsroom now. But U.S. Attorney Amanda Berndt said while there's no question that the plaintiffs are entitled to a reward, a proper calculation of Nakajjigo's lost earnings must include the possibility that she might have left the workforce at some point for a variety of reasons. Arches National Park Being Sued For $270M After Gate Decapitated Guest Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was on a trip to the Utah park with her . The smaller projection takes into account only the averages of a statistical black woman, she said; while the higher projections factor in that Nakajjigo was a real, extraordinary person. . Its known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. "We want you to know, on behalf of the United States, this accident and Essie's death was the responsibility of the United States," Nelson told Michaud. FOX 13 Investigates: Family sues over death of woman killed in Arches IE 11 is not supported. Human 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. in the two-plus years since his wife, Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo, was hit and killed by an unsecured gate while the couple was leaving Arches National Park. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. But an attorney for her parents and husband said they were grateful for the judgment, which represents the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history. Something went wrong, please try again later. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim continues. The familys lawsuit claims when the national parks reopened in April 2020 after being shuttered due to Covid-19, rangers at the national park in Utah didnt 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. Michaud and his in-laws are asking a federal judge for $140 million. Testimony ends in trial of Ugandan woman decapitated in Arches National "I'm doing whatever I can to get better. One, Saving Innocence, depicted teenage girls from urban areas helping teen moms in rural communities go back to school. The lawsuit filed by Ludovic Michaud, of Denver, claims his wife Esther Nakajjigo was decapitated while in the passenger seat of a car exiting Arches National Park. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent Ugandan human rights activist killed in Arches National Park in 2020. Ms Nakajjigo met Mr Michaud after she relocated to the US, where she was awarded the Luff Peace Fellowship by the University of Boulder in Colorado. The lawsuit was filed about a year after Nakajjigo was killed in June 2020, when wind apparently caused the unsecured, metal gate on the parks main road to swing around and strike her and her husbands car, decapitating her. It impaled their car and decapitated Nakajjigo. A woman who had married her husband only three months ago has died after a horror crash saw a car park gate swing through the couple's car and cut off her head. "Because (Nakajjigo) is off the charts, you can't use the charts to evaluate her," McGinn said. Activist, 25, hailed as 'future Oprah or Princess Diana' is Nakajjigo's family sued the government for the largest federal award ever asked for in both state and national history, according to plaintiffs' attorney Randi McGinn, seeking $140 million in damages. When he inhaled the copper-tinged smell of blood, turned to figure out what it was and saw his beheaded wife. Everything reminds Michaud of Nakajjigo. The United States will pay family members of a Ugandan human rights activist killed in an accident at Arches National Park more than $10 million in damages, a federal judge ruled Monday. In 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 and cut her. Arches accidental beheading trial ends, but verdict is still pending The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) The United States will pay family members of a Ugandan human rights activist killed in an accident at Arches National Park more than $10 million in. Updated: Jan 31, 2023 / 03:49 PM MST. The claim, served Oct. 22, is seeking more than $270 million in damages from the National Park Service. Here's what lawmakers have directed schools to do, Can't take statins? As they were leaving the park on June 13, 2020, heavy winds apparently blew the metal entrance gate into the passenger side of the vehicle, striking and killing Nakajjigo. 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They had a courthouse ceremony in March, with plans to throw a big wedding in Uganda once it was safe to travel again. One time it was the delivery of her Social Security card; another time, an update on her immigration status. At other points, he dabbed at his eyes; he lived like a student before meeting Nakajjigo, he said, but she turned their apartment into a home. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. The metal gate at Arches National Park, normally secured with a lock, was left untethered. The. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The family of a woman beheaded by a metal gate in front of her husband at a national park has launched a lawsuit for $140million (115m). The administrative claim is a legally required precursor to a lawsuit, which is expected to be filed in about six months. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent . Ludovic 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 passenger door of. Esther Nakajjigo was born in poverty in Kampala, Uganda, and rose to become a celebrated human rights activist through her work focusing on preventing teen pregnancy. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. $270M Claim Filed Against National Park Service After Woman's Death Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act, Passengers injured as turbulence rocks plane. Family of activist decapitated by swinging gate at Utah park is awarded We hope that, in some way, the conclusion of this trial will help with your moving forward.". ", In 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 and cut her head off, according to a wrongful death administrative claim obtained by NBC News. Join Outside+ to get Outside magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Family of woman decapitated in Utah national park by swinging gate to He smiled at some points as he shared photos and memories of happier times affectionate birthday cards, silly nicknames, meals cooked together, the rose petals Nakajjigo arranged into the shape of a heart with an "I" and a "U" on either side. Courtesy Ludovic Michaud Nakajjigo. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan activist who'd moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, died June 13, 2020, while visiting the park with her husband of two Recreation areas had recently opened after pandemic-era closures and . We dont know with any level of certainty what her plans were, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. The claim alleged that had park employees used an $8 padlock to secure the gate from moving in the breeze, it could have avoided the victim being "needlessly decapitated.". An activist's dreams 'were about to come true.' Then, a horrific Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. The gate had been unsecured for the previous two weeks, despite national park requirements that prohibit gates from swinging, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Activist Esther Nakajjigo's family beg Ugandan government to return Ms Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludo Michaud, 26, were driving out of the scenic parks carpark when wind caught the unlatched gate and the metal pole on top sliced through the side of their rental car and hit Ms Nakajjigo in the head and neck, killing her instantly. Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park Awarded $10. At age 17, she used her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center, which provided free reproductive health services to young women and girls. What happened during the 2023 Utah Legislature. He said he didnt deny Nakajjigo was an extraordinary person, but argued it was difficult to speculate what kind of work she would have gone on to do. Nakajjigo, 25, was a Ugandan human rights activist and moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder. "The National Park Service has, in fact, known for decades that an unsecured metal pipe gate creates an undetectable hazard and dangerous condition," the claim states, as reported by CBS Denver.. $270 MILLION LAWSUIT National parks begin to reopen across the country. The federal trial began Monday in Utah, where the husband and family of Nakajjigo are seeking $140 million in damages from the U.S. government, arguing in a complaint that the national park was negligent and failed to properly maintain the gate. Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again, Michaud said. I found her really interesting. All rights reserved. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en cliquant sur le lien Tableau de bord sur la vie prive prsent sur nos sites et dans nos applications. The trip to the wind-weathered sandstone of Arches National Park was supposed to be a celebration a chance for Ludovic Michaud, of Denver, to show his new wife one of his favorite landmarks.

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