Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los Angeles Times 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,. Even simple tasks like cooking rice stored in a jar that Nakajjigo bought before her death feel paralyzing, he said. Family of Newlywed and Activist Decapitated at Utah's Arches National The amount was far less than the $140 million Nakajjigos family originally sought. DENVER (CBS4) - The family of a Denver woman has filed a $270 million wrongful death claim against Arches National Park after she was killed there over the summer. 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. After seeing a pregnant 14-year-old girl die during a difficult delivery, Nakajjigo decided to use her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center that provided free reproductive health services to females aged 10-24. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 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. . Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death A federal judge ruled Monday that the U.S. will shell out more than $10 million in damages to the family of Esther Nakajjigo after she was killed in an accident at a Utah national park in. 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. Nothing we can say makes up for your loss. He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didnt have a Bachelors degree. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Suspect in Dylan Rounds disappearance charged with murder. Nakajjigo and her husband Ludovic Michaud were vacationing in eastern Utah, visiting the region's national parks months after their wedding. 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. Nakajjigo was decapitated after wind swung an untethered metal gate into her car, killing her immediately as her husband sat in the seat next to her. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. In pink tops and white pants, women celebrate free period products becoming available in Utahs state buildings, Proposal to boost Utah bar licenses gets smaller with another round of cuts by lawmakers, Moab, Park City cry foul as Utah lawmakers target rules for vacation homes. National Park Service faces $270M wrongful death claim - USA TODAY Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death The ruling was. Something went wrong, please try again later. Attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigos parents asked for $140 million in damages, while the government said an appropriate award would be roughly $3.5 million. 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 trial began in December and in court, per the AP, family attorney Randi McGinn reportedly argued Nakajjigo could have eventually brought in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, annually had she survived. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nakajjigo married Denver man Ludovic Michaud in March 2020. She later created a pair of reality television shows designed to empower women. Mr Michaud and Ms Nakajjigos family have filed a lawsuit in a US court accusing the National Park Service of negligence, Fox 13 reports. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Nakajjigo was. "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. 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. The family are arguing that the US Park Service was negligent and did not properly maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to their loved one's death. Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Nakajjigo worked on fundraising to open a hospital in an underserved part of Kampala, Ugandas capital, became a philanthropic celebrity and immigrated to the United States for a fellowship at the Boulder, Colorado-based Watson Institute for emerging leaders. Its a fear of erasing her, I guess, when you use something that she bought or that she ate or that we did together, he said. 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. Family sues after newlywed is killed by gate at Arches park You wouldnt able to detect it or see it.. November 12, 2020 / 2:34 PM Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park Awarded $10. On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the. Michaud hopes he and Nakajjigos family can continue her legacy. Esther Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud). Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utah's Arches National Park | news Michaud, Nakajjigo's husband, spoke about the intense trauma he's endured since his wife's death, including sleeplessness, nightmares and suicidal ideation. Ugandan newlywed Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was visiting Arches National Park in Utah in June 2020 when she was struck and killed by a metal pole attached to a traffic control gate. In opening statements Monday in Salt Lake City, their attorneys said they were seeking $140 million (115m) in damages from the government accounting for Esther's earning potential. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Esther Nakajjigo lost her life when she was decapitated at an entrance to Arches National Park in Utah back in June. Arches National Park Being Sued For $270M After Gate Decapitated Guest A family is getting $10 million in the wrongful death of Ugandan human rights activist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated by a swinging metal gate in Arches National Park, Utah. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. In the opening statements of the wrongful death lawsuit, attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigos family recounted the moment Michaud realised his wife had been killed. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim continues. The ongoing trial will largely focus on determining the damages that may go to her family and Michaud. Having received numerous international accolades and awards, Nakajjigo came to the United States to further her education, where she met Michaud a video streaming technology solution architect via a dating app. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The same year, Nakajjigo was named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. They said you have to lock it or its going to impale a car, so everyone knows, Chang said. All rights reserved. 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. Courtesy Ludovic Michaud Nakajjigo. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Ms Nakajjigo worked to improve education and rights for women and teenage girls in her home country of Uganda and advocated to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy. Seven people have been rushed to hospital after severe turbulence on a flight led to an emergency landing. "We respect the judges decision and hope this award will help her loved ones as they continue to heal for this tragedy," added the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. On June 13, she was needlessly decapitated by a metal gate that swung into the couples car as they were exiting the Arches parking lot on their way to go get ice cream, according to a wrongful death administrative claim exclusively obtained by NBC News. Its still hard to concentrate, but I try to.. McGinn argued that the smaller projections were based on categories of evaluation not allowed for under Utah law. The newly married Michaud and Nakajjigo took a weekend trip to Arches National Park as a welcome break after months of lockdown amid the pandemic, court documents said. 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. The amount was far less than the $140 million Nakajjigos family originally sought. 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. SALT LAKE CITY Ludovic "Ludo" Michaud has tortured himself with a lot of "what ifs?" The gruesome nature of Nakajjigos death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan womens rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. Testimony ends in trial of Ugandan woman decapitated in Arches National While much less than they were initially seeking, the family was clearly pleased with the results -- with attorney Zoe Littlepage calling the amount "the largest verdict from a federal judge in Utah history.". Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act, Passengers injured as turbulence rocks plane. The couple was leaving a park parking lot to get ice cream when a metal traffic control gate swung into the road, piercing the passenger side of the couples rental car and severing Nakajjigos head. Twist after newlywed decapitated by gate at national park - Yahoo! sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Outside's long reads email newsletter features our strongest writing, most ambitious reporting, and award-winning storytelling about the outdoors. Its a fear of erasing her, I guess, when you use something that she bought or that she ate or that we did together.. Si vous ne souhaitez pas que nos partenaires et nousmmes utilisions des cookies et vos donnes personnelles pour ces motifs supplmentaires, cliquez sur Refuser tout. What happened during the 2023 Utah Legislature. We hope that, in some way, the conclusion of this trial will help with your moving forward.". Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. The claim she served is legally required before a lawsuit can be filed in court. On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the U.S. government must pay her family more than $10 million in damages. Nelson, the governments attorney, has said an appropriate award would be $3.5million (2.9m). When he inhaled the copper-tinged smell of blood, turned to figure out what it was and saw his beheaded wife. Newlyweds Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo, 25, and Ludovic "Ludo" Michaud, 26, were driving to get ice cream during a camping trip June 13 when a metal gate blew closed in strong winds and sliced . The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent . 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. 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 Nakajjigo was killed instantly. He was "instantly covered with blood," the complaint says. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. It feels lonely, and thats hard. Nakajjigo, who went by Essie, was a womens rights champion in Uganda. $10.5 million awarded to family of Denver woman killed at Arches Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Family of Ugandan philanthropist decapitated by traffic gate in Arches The National Park Service did not respond to repeated inquiries from NBC News, nor did Arches National Park Chief Ranger Scott Brown. In pink tops and white pants, women celebrate free period products becoming available in Utahs state buildings, Proposal to boost Utah bar licenses gets smaller with another round of cuts by lawmakers, Moab, Park City cry foul as Utah lawmakers target rules for vacation homes. There have been gate accidents across the country, including another one on federal government property in 1980 in which a camper in California was impaled by a U.S. Forest Service road closure gate. The metal gate at Arches National Park, normally secured with a lock, was left untethered. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. But when she met Michaud in June 2019 in Aurora, Colorado, through a dating app, he just saw her as a smart person who loved to laugh. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. "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 Recreation areas had recently opened after pandemic-era closures and . 'Shadow pandemic': Women, girls bear unequal share of Covid-19 burden, U.N. official warns, National parks begin to reopen across the country. Lindsay Whitehurst/AP 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. Ms Chang described the part of the gate that struck Ms Nakajjigo as being like a metal spear or a lance and hit the car in literally a split second. On June 13, 2020, Nakajjigo, who was riding in the passenger seat as her husband drove them out of the park, was suddenly decapitated when the triangular, metal gate swung around and sliced into their rental car. The wind whipped a metal. But on Friday, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson tried to give Michaud some peace of mind. IE 11 is not supported. During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. The suit was filed last. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death John Ssenkindu, Esther's brother, told journalists that her sister was hit by a metallic gate of the Arches National Park in the US . The family had initially sought a total of $270 million in damages, before lowering the amount to $140 -- while the government only wanted to pay $3.5 million. Esther Nakajjigo had been visiting Utah's Arches National Park when she was killed by a gate caught in the wind. What if he hadn't suggested the trip. Family of woman decapitated in Utah national park by swinging gate to Michaud was the last plaintiff witness in the civil trial over the June 13, 2020, death of his wife, Esther Nakajjigo. Denver newlyweds' trip to Arches National Park ends with wife's Updated: Jan 31, 2023 / 03:49 PM MST. It's really a full-time job," he said. Family of Ugandan activist who was decapitated at UT national park gets Esther Nakajjigo and her husband were visiting the regions national parks months after their wedding. 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 . By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. Photo: Esther Nakajjigo/Twitter. Drenched in his wifes blood, Michaud instinctively jumped out of the slowly moving car after impact, then got back in to put it in park. She was always willing to help, he said. Instead, Michaud met his wife's family -- who traveled to the States from Uganda -- for the first time just before the trial started. It claims three other people have died from similar incidents involving gates in the last 32 years. I felt completely meaningless after losing Nakajjigo, he said. 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.

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