Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was on a trip to the Utah park with her . 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.". 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. Nakajjigo and her husband Ludovic Michaud were vacationing in eastern Utah, visiting the region's national parks months after their wedding. Nakajjigo, who was 25, lived with her husband in Denver, where she moved to attend a leadership course on a full scholarship. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. 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. 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. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Nakajjigo was a women's rights champion in her home country of Uganda; she founded a nonprofit community health center using her college tuition money, and created two reality TV shows centered around empowering women. In his ten-page verdict, U.S. District Court Judge Bruce Jenkins said the government admitted fault and apologized for Nakajjigos death. Esther Nakajjigo and Ludovic Michaud at Arches National Park in eastern Utah. Esther Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud) Nakajjigo, 25, was a Ugandan human rights activist and moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder. This photo was taken in the hours before a gate swung into the couple's car, killing Nakajjigo. Esther Nakajjigo beheaded by gate at Utah's Arches National Park | news One of his regrets is not saying, "I love you," one more time. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. "Because (Nakajjigo) is off the charts, you can't use the charts to evaluate her," McGinn said. The. FOX 13 Investigates: Family sues over death of woman killed in Arches The claim she served is legally required before a lawsuit can be filed in court. Join Outside+ to get Outside magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Esther Nakajjigo (credit: Ludovic Michaud). Nakajjigo, who was 25, lived with her. Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5 million for Utah death - Los Angeles Times It's really a full-time job," he said. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. The United States will pay more than $10 million in damages over the death of Esther Nakajjigo, a prominent . "I'll respond as soon as I'm able," Jenkins said. Ms Nakajjigos husband said his wifes death was the worst thing I hope I will ever see. Arches accidental beheading trial ends, but verdict is still pending Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death Ugandan activist's family awarded $10.5M for Utah park death 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 U.S. government has admitted responsibility for Nakajjigos death and for the emotional distress inflicted upon her husband, an attorney for the plaintiffs said. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Activist Esther Nakajjigo's family beg Ugandan government to return Denver Woman Decapitated By Gate: Family Files $270M - CBS News Recreation areas had recently opened after pandemic-era closures and . Donate to the newsroom now. 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. 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. The ongoing trial will largely focus on determining the damages that may go to her family and Michaud. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. 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. Nakajjigo married Denver man Ludovic Michaud in March 2020. 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. Trial begins Ugandan woman's death in Arches National Park | 9news.com The trial gave me and Essies family members an opportunity to tell Essies beautiful story, and it was so important to me to have the chance to stand up and speak for this amazing woman.. Denver man files suit after wife's death at National Park - KMGH 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. 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. Nakajjigo was killed instantly. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. 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. One time it was the delivery of her Social Security card; another time, an update on her immigration status. Esther Nakajjigo had been visiting Utah's Arches National Park when she was killed by a gate caught in the wind. 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. 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. Michaud and his in-laws are asking a federal judge for $140 million. 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. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Michaud's wife, Esther Nakajjigo, 25, was a celebrated human rights activist in her home country of Uganda. "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. Nakajjigo was. At age 17, Nakajjigo was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women, according to the claim. "I'm doing whatever I can to get better. Trial begins in civil suit filed for accidental beheading death at Arches, National Park Service faces $270M wrongful death claim for death at Arches, 6 people arrested following drive-by shooting in Iron County, Man struck, killed by FrontRunner in Clearfield, Legislative wrap: Under-the-radar bills you may have missed on the last day of the session, Northern Utah man faces 30 felonies in child pornography case, 15-year-old boy dies after being found in crashed car with gunshot wounds, Pennsylvania unseals more court document details in Idaho killings, Provo River diverted as restoration project reaches 'major milestone', 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Do not 'push a slower friend down' if you encounter a bear, National Park Service warns, CDC issues advisory after confirmed measles case in Kentucky, Police say man killed by Farmington officers had gun; victim's mom filed suit over other traffic stop, 27% of Utah students are chronically absent. Denver woman killed during visit to Arches National Park Esther Nakajjigo lost her life when she was decapitated at an entrance to Arches National Park in Utah back in June. Family of woman decapitated in Utah national park by swinging gate to