Woman's decapitation at Arches National Park leads to $270M wrongful 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. Theres a newsletter that went out to all the parks and the National Park Service that warned of this decades ago. Ms McGinn described Nakajjigo as a prominent womens rights activist who rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women around issues such as education and healthcare. Recreation areas had recently opened after pandemic-era closures and . "I'm doing whatever I can to get better. In his judgement, Jenkins said the government had provided a more reasonable projection of Nakajjigos earnings potential. "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 This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. "Because (Nakajjigo) is off the charts, you can't use the charts to evaluate her," McGinn said. Family of Ugandan Awarded $10.5M for Utah Park Death Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, were vacationing in eastern Utah, visiting the regions national parks months after their wedding. Diana Dasrath is entertainment producer and senior reporter for NBC News covering all platforms. Berndt also said her team can take into account only Nakajjigo's education and earning history at the time of her death, exclusive from the money she raised for charitable organizations. The closing arguments came after five days of trial that included testimony from Nakajjigo's family, friends and mentors, as well as from bystanders who witnessed the accident. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in a horrific accident at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. It feels lonely, and thats hard. The gruesome nature of Nakajjigos death and the fact that she was a renowned Ugandan womens rights activist drew widespread attention to the case. Attorneys for the government have not disputed that park officials are at fault but instead have disputed how much the family should be awarded. Family of Woman Decapitated by Swinging Gate at State Park Awarded $10. Family of woman decapitated in Utah national park by swinging gate to Her dreams were just about to come true, Chang said. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. 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. Attorneys representing the U.S. commended her work, yet noted her most recent job was working at a restaurant making $15 per hour. US attorneys have said this claim was too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. This decision serves as a reminder of the importance of proper maintenance and safety measures in our national parks, so as to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Michaud said in a statement to CBS News on Monday. Testimony ends in trial of Ugandan woman decapitated in Arches National The gate narrowly missed Michaud, who was driving. The family of a womens rights activist who was decapitated in an accident on a trip with her new husband has sued the US government agency responsible for the park where she died. 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. 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 damages, a federal judge ruled Monday. minutes. They stipulate, however, that the plaintiffs should be awarded $22,508 for Nakajjigo's funeral expenses and $5,000 for Michaud's therapy expenses. She was particularly passionate about reducing teenage pregnancy and created two reality television shows that empowered women. 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, the Associated Press reported. Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. None. 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. Esther Nakajjigo had been visiting Utah's Arches National Park when she was killed by a gate caught in the wind. Posted at 10:15 PM, Nov 12, 2020 When she was 17, she donated her university tuition money to start a private, nonprofit community health center that she named the Princess Diana Health Centre. Family of Newlywed and Activist Decapitated at Utah's Arches National She was subsequently named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. 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. Trial opens in death of woman killed by metal gate in Utah | wltx.com "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigos friends, family and beloved community. Its known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. 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. A newlywed Denver couple's road trip to Arches National Park in Utah this summer ended in . dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. Family of Woman Killed at Arches National Park Awarded $10.5M Photo: Esther Nakajjigo/Twitter. Esther Nakajjigo and her husband were visiting the regions national parks months after their wedding. Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgement . In their legal complaint, Michaud and Nakajjigos parents said the National Park Service was negligent for not maintaining the gate. The family says under federal park rules, similar gates should be secured, but the gate that struck Ms Nakajjigo had been unlatched for weeks, Fox 13 reports. 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 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). Courtesy of. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death 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. The gate had been left unlatched against federal policy for two weeks prior to the tragic accident in June 2020. 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.. Credit: AP FILE - Delicate. 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 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,. 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. Her mother flew to Utah from Uganda to attend the trial this week. 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 the US National Parks Service seeking . The wind whipped a metal. Newlyweds Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud visited the park in mid June. Newlywed woman decapitated by car park entrance gate blown open in high All this building towards the $140million in damages. Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Because neither the U.S. nor Nakajjigos family disputed the facts of the case, the civil suit focused largely on the amount of damages merited. Throughout the trial, attorneys debated estimates of Nakajjigos earnings potential. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Esther Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludovic Michaud, pose at Arches National Park on June 13, 2020. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death National parks begin to reopen across the country. In his ten-page verdict, U.S. District Court Judge Bruce Jenkins said the government admitted fault and apologized for Nakajjigos death. Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again, the husband of Esther Nakajjigo told NBC News in an exclusive interview. 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. For this work, the United Nations Population Fund gave her the Woman Achiever Award. Lindsay Whitehurst/AP Something went wrong, please try again later. Esther Nakajjigo was decapitated at Arches National Park in Utah after wind swung an untethered metal gate into her car, killing her immediately as her husband sat in the seat next to her. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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 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. All rights reserved. Michaud was not injured in the accident, but he was covered head-to-toe in his wifes blood. 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. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act, Passengers injured as turbulence rocks plane. 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. National Park Service faces $270M wrongful death claim - USA TODAY Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. Esther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. "You bear no responsibility. During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. The 25-year-old human rights activist and newlywed wife was killed on June 13, 2020, in 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. Arches accidental beheading trial ends, but verdict is still pending A lot of things remind me of her, Michaud told the Salt Lake Tribune. She met Michaud on Tinder in 2019, when she was attending a leadership program in Boulder, Colorado. The family of a human rights activist killed in a freak accident at Utah's Arches State Park won $10.5 million in damages from the U.S. government. Esther Nakajjigo was driving with her newlywed husband on their honeymoon in Arches when an open road gate was swung by strong winds into their rental car. 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. Woman decapitated by metal gate in front of her horrified husband in According to a court filing, the National Park Service and Arches National Park created a lethal and undetectable danger with the gate, which turned a metal pipe into a spear that went straight through the side of a car, decapitating and killing Esther Nakajjigo.. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. 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. "I'll respond as soon as I'm able," Jenkins said. Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again, Michaud said. 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. / CBS Colorado. Instead, Michaud met his wife's family -- who traveled to the States from Uganda -- for the first time just before the trial started. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. He was "instantly covered with blood," the complaint says. The familys lawyer Deborah Chang said the gate struck the car so suddenly and was so well blended into the surrounding landscape the honeymooning couple had no chance of avoiding it. Activist, 25, hailed as 'future Oprah or Princess Diana' is Michaud and his in-laws are asking a federal judge for $140 million. November 12, 2020 / 2:34 PM Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utah's Arches National Park | news A cruise employee has had his contract terminated after he was allegedly seen filming women from a female bathroom. 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.". Mail that Nakajjigo has continued to receive after her death has been a stark reminder of the life they should still be enjoying together. Michaud said he and Nakajjigo were two weeks shy of closing on a condo when the accident occurred, with hopes of owning a house down the road. I felt completely meaningless after losing Nakajjigo, he said. The large monetary damages being sought on behalf of Michaud and Nakajjigos parents are a reflection of the suffering they have gone through plus the loss of Nakajjigos future income and fundraising abilities, Chang said. Donate to the newsroom now. The family of Esther Nakajjigo accused the National Park Service of negligence for not properly securing the metal gate that killed her. According to the claim, Michaud, of Denver, and Nakajjigo, a womens rights proponent from Uganda, were exiting the Arches parking lot on June 13 when a metal gate on the entrance road near the visitors center swung into the couples car, causing Nakajigo to be needlessly decapitated.. John Ssenkindu, Esther's brother, told journalists that her sister was hit by a metallic gate of the Arches National Park in the US . Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgement, [] Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M - CBS News 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. All rights reserved. What if they had gone on a different day, or left at a different time? Ludovic Michaud, the husband of late human rights activist Esther Nakajjigo, has filed a $270 million wrongful death administrative claim against the National Park Service, according to a. 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. 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. Ms Nakajjigos husband said his wifes death was the worst thing I hope I will ever see. The ongoing trial will largely focus on determining the damages that may go to her family and Michaud. Nakajjigos remains were flown back to Uganda in August. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigos family, on Monday asked the family to leave when he described the death in gruesome detail. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. McGinn argued that the smaller projections were based on categories of evaluation not allowed for under Utah law. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Nakajjigo donated her own college fund to start a hospital, Berndt said; she raised money for charities and never took a salary. They were driving toward the exit when suddenly a gust of wind lifted a metal gate and the arm swung into the roadway. They had wanted three children. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo . He and his wife, Esther Nakajjigo, who had moved to Colorado from Uganda, went to Utah as a welcome break from being quarantined. 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. Nakajjigo, who was 25, lived with her. IE 11 is not supported. Michaud hopes he and Nakajjigos family can continue her legacy. SALT LAKE CITY Ludovic "Ludo" Michaud has tortured himself with a lot of "what ifs?" In their legal complaint, Michaud and Nakajjigos parents said the National Park Service was negligent for not maintaining the gate. It alleges that if park employees had properly installed the gate to not swing into oncoming traffic or placed an $8 padlock on the gate to secure it from moving in the breeze, the world would not have lost a young woman influencer destined to become our societys future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates, or Oprah Winfrey.. Here's what lawmakers have directed schools to do, Can't take statins? Everything reminds Michaud of Nakajjigo. 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. Its a fear of erasing her, I guess, when you use something that she bought or that she ate or that we did together.. 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. 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. 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. 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. 72 Join Insider . 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. Nakajjigo also created a reality television show in Uganda focused on helping teenage mothers stay in school and learn life skills. On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the U.S. government must pay her family more than $10 million in damages. NBC wrote that Nakajjigo 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, Colo., where she was the recipient of a Luff Peace Fellowship., Michaud, originally of France, was uninjured in the accident, but, according to NBCs report, has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder., Donate to the newsroom now. 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. 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. They argued that had employees installed the gate properly and secured it with an $8 padlock, Nakajjigos death could have been prevented, NBC News reported. 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. Trial begins for woman decapitated at Arches National Park Esther
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