It claims three other people have died from similar incidents involving gates in the last 32 years. 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. 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. 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 claim, served Oct. 22, is seeking more than $270 million in damages from the National Park Service. Nakajjigo, who was 25, lived with her. / CBS Colorado. Michaud and his in-laws are asking a federal judge for $140 million. 'Shadow pandemic': Women, girls bear unequal share of Covid-19 burden, U.N. official warns, National parks begin to reopen across the country. Mail that Nakajjigo has continued to receive after her death has been a stark reminder of the life they should still be enjoying together. Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again, the husband of Esther Nakajjigo told NBC News in an exclusive interview. During the trials opening statements in December, Nakajjigo was described as a pearl beyond price with limitless potential, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. A newlywed Denver couple's road trip to Arches National Park in Utah this summer ended in . Our mission is to make sure this doesnt happen again, Michaud said. Outside's long reads email newsletter features our strongest writing, most ambitious reporting, and award-winning storytelling about the outdoors. 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. ", 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. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo . Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. Instead of planning their future together, Michaud is now processing the trauma and grief of Nakajjigos gruesome death and hoping the lawsuit his attorney plans to file will save other families from experiencing what he did. Itd be like me pointing a piece of paper to you on its most narrow side. Nelson, the governments attorney, has said an appropriate award would be $3.5million (2.9m). The ongoing trial will largely focus on determining the damages that may go to her family and Michaud. You wouldnt able to detect it or see it.. McGinn, representing Nakajjigos family, likened her to a nonprofit CEO for an American charity and said she would have likely made millions throughout her life. When he inhaled the copper-tinged smell of blood, turned to figure out what it was and saw his beheaded wife. Nakajjigo was decapitated after wind swung an untethered metal gate into her . SALT . Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Berndt said her team in no way believes Nakajjigo was an average person, and that using reliable data to estimate her lost earnings isn't a value judgment of Nakajjigo. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. 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. He was "instantly covered with blood," the complaint says. 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 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. 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 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. By age 25, when she died, she had accomplished more than most people do in an entire lifetime and had much more to do with her life, court documents state. Courtesy of. Nakajjigo, who went by Essie, was a womens rights champion in Uganda. Her husband, Michaud, is seeking $240 million in damages from the National Park Service, while Nakajjigo's family is seeking $30 million. 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.. The National Park Service has not commented in relation to the new lawsuit but has previously released a statement expressing sympathy for the young womans death. Ms Nakajjigos husband said his wifes death was the worst thing I hope I will ever see. They were driving toward the exit when suddenly a gust of wind lifted a metal gate and the arm swung into the roadway. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigos friends, family and beloved community. In his judgement, Jenkins said the government had provided a more reasonable projection of Nakajjigos earnings potential. 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. 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. 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. Nakajjigo and her husband Ludovic Michaud were vacationing in eastern Utah, visiting the region's national parks months after their wedding. 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 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. 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. The gate had been left unlatched against federal policy for two weeks prior to the tragic accident in June 2020. At age 17, Nakajjigo. 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 women's rights activist from Uganda was 25 when, during a camping trip to Arches National Park in June 2020, she was beheaded by a metal gate that blew closed in strong winds and sliced through the side of the car she was riding in. 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. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. "I'll respond as soon as I'm able," Jenkins said. You wouldnt able to detect it or see it, she told Fox 13. Courtesy Ludovic Michaud Nakajjigo. 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. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim continues. They had wanted three children. 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. They wed in a courthouse ceremony in March 2020, three months before her death, and had plans to have a big ceremony in Uganda when it was safe to travel again. 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. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a . November 12, 2020 / 2:34 PM 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. 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. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. 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. Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. Michaud, Nakajjigo's husband, spoke about the intense trauma he's endured since his wife's death, including sleeplessness, nightmares and suicidal ideation. 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,. Nakajjigo also created a reality television show in Uganda focused on helping teenage mothers stay in school and learn life skills. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent . 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. Lindsay Whitehurst/AP She added that the plaintiffs' assumption that Nakajjigo would have taken a salary "far in excess" of most nonprofit CEOs is "simply contrary to everything the court has heard about her," Berndt said. US attorneys have said this claim was too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. The amount was far less than the $140 million Nakajjigos family originally sought. 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. 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. 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. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. All times AEDT (GMT +11). 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. She met Michaud on Tinder in 2019, when she was attending a leadership program in Boulder, Colorado. "On behalf of the family, we are very appreciative of the judge's attention to detail, the time he spent working on this, and for the value he put on the loss to this family of Essie," added Littlepage. The same year, Nakajjigo was named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. According to NBC, the claim was served Oct. 22, and 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.. Later, his chin trembled as Nelson delivered the government's apology. IE 11 is not supported. The gate narrowly avoided Michaud, who was left covered head to toe in his wife's blood. The lawsuit alleges that a simple $8 padlock could have prevented the gate from swinging, and claims the park violated regulations. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax Nakajjigo created a reality TV show that helped child mothers stay in school and develop life skills, according to The Denver Post. McGinn argued that the smaller projections were based on categories of evaluation not allowed for under Utah law. "The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Uganda's 'Young Personality of the Year,'" the Post reported. 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. 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. 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. FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. They stipulate, however, that the plaintiffs should be awarded $22,508 for Nakajjigo's funeral expenses and $5,000 for Michaud's therapy expenses. I couldnt work properly for a couple of months. 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. Michaud was the last plaintiff witness in the civil trial over the June 13, 2020, death of his wife, Esther Nakajjigo. 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 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. Nakajjigos remains were flown back to Uganda in August. 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. It's really a full-time job," 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. 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 . We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. The wind whipped a metal gate round which sliced through the passenger door of the car and decapitated Esther. 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. Attorney Randi McGinn, representing Nakajjigos family, on Monday asked the family to leave when he described the death in gruesome detail. The 25-year-old human rights activist and newlywed wife was killed on June 13, 2020, in Arches National Park. One series reportedly had a weekly audience of 6.3 million viewers. They said you have to lock it or its going to impale a car, so everyone knows, Chang said. One time it was the delivery of her Social Security card; another time, an update on her immigration status. 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. 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. The family of Ugandan philanthropist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated by a traffic gate in front of her husband in Arches National Park in Utah, has been awarded $10.5m. 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. 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. All rights reserved. The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda has filed a $270 million administrative claim against the National Park Service after she was killed by an . Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los Angeles Times On Monday, a federal judge in Utah ruled that the U.S. government must pay her family more than $10 million in damages. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. "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 Donate to the newsroom now. Though the amount was substantially less than pursued, attorneys representing the family of Esther Nakajjigo celebrated the judgement, [] "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. I didnt know who she was at first, Michaud, 26, told NBC News in his first interview since Nakajjigos death. 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 report by NBC News, following a June accident at Arches National Park near Moab. 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. (Athea Trial Lawyers) Esther Nakajjigo is shown in this undated photo. I really wanted to show her Arches, he told Fox 13. 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. All this building towards the $140million in damages. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Cruise staffer fired after shock bathroom act, Passengers injured as turbulence rocks plane. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. 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. In their legal complaint, Michaud and Nakajjigos parents said the National Park Service was negligent for not maintaining the gate. 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. At just 17, using her college tuition money, she created a nonprofit community health center. SALT LAKE CITY The family of human rights activist Esther Nakajjigo, who was decapitated in an accident in Arches National Park, has sued the National Park Service. She was named Ugandas ambassador for women and girls. Theres a newsletter that went out to all the parks and the National Park Service that warned of this decades ago. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "You bear no responsibility. There is a lot of small things I miss.. It feels lonely, and thats hard. What happened during the 2023 Utah Legislature. 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. 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 By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's. "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 society's future Princess Diana, Philanthropist Melinda Gates or Oprah Winfrey," read the initial claim from Nakajjigo's husband and family. 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. 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. Yet park employees could have done a lot, the claim alleges, including taking note during inspections of the gate that it posed a danger and putting an inexpensive padlock on it.