In other words, he added, theres no liability for ordinary negligence. The mans identity is private as the investigation continues. Lehman Caves Visitor Center I ended her life, he reportedly wrote in October 2021. The newlyweds were on their drive out with Nakajjigo in the passenger seat when a strong wind pushed the park's entrance gate into the road, and sliced through their rental car "like a hot knife through butter," the claim said, according to the AP. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. She had like a tremendous potential, Michaud told the TV station of his late wife. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. The following month, the medical examiner in Sarasota County determined he died from a single gunshot wound to the head, self-inflicted. WebThe park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. The complaint also describes how Michaud had to witness the grisly scene. View of the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. In order to stay healthy in this climate, it is best toavoid hiking in the middle of the day in Arches. Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. Those experiencing previous health conditions, such as heart disease, are at greater risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, both of which can be deadly. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says. Alongside theNational Park Service, Outsider wants visit to be safe, memorable, enjoyable, and above all: safe. "I turned my head and saw what I wish I didn't see.". Trial begins over death of Ugandan woman killed at Arches National Park. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US? (KKCO) - The National Park Service announced in a press release that it has identified the body of a woman found in Arches National Park earlier this week. They said claims by the family's lawyers that Nakajjigo, who was 25 at the time of her death, was on track to be a nonprofit CEO shortly were too speculative to be used as a basis for damages. Photo: Getty Images. The park service previously issued a statement expressing sympathy to Nakajjigos family. In fact it is the hottest and driest place on earth period. She reportedly moved to Colorado for a social entrepreneurship program at the Watson Institute in Boulder. Rangers warned visitors in a tweet to proceed with caution. Its a 3-mile-long, 480-foot climb from the closest parking to see the arch up close. Michaud and Nakajjigo had been married for just under three months when they decided to go see the Arches. According to the Grand County Sheriffs Department, the 71-year-old from Massachusetts was out hiking with his wife and son when the tragic incident occurred. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. RELATED: Utah teen dies after falling 150 feet while climbing near cliff, police say. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. "For how majestic these parks are, it's kind of shocking how rudimentary these gates are," she said. I really wanted to show her Arches, he said, because I know all the parks around Moab It's one of my favorite places in the U.S., if not my favorite place.. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo in the neck, killing her. Users on Facebook offered their condolences, with one saying she hopes the nearby town of Moab will gather round the family of the deceased to support them. Yosemite, and Death Valley. Utah (ABC4) Staff members at Arches National Park recovered a deceased body on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Our thoughts and condolences are with Nakajjigos friends and families. Nakajjigo accomplished more by age 25 than most people do in a lifetime. 1 / 9. Of the accidents aftermath, Michaud told FOX 13: I saw the worst thing I hope I will ever see.. The judge is expected to issue his ruling in the coming weeks. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nakajjigo worked on fundraising to open a hospital in an underserved part of Kampala, Uganda's capital, became a philanthropic celebrity and immigrated to the United States for a fellowship at the Boulder, Colorado-based Watson Institute for emerging leaders. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. Here are our favorites. As they entered the park on June 13, high winds blew the park entrance gate, a swinging pole, back across the highway. "We don't know with any level of certainty what her plans were," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nelson said. I dont want this incident to reproduce itself ever again.. She received multiple honors for her humanitarian work and was attending a leadership program in Bolder, Colorado, at the time of her death. The couple had been married about three months. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The area around Delicate Arch was temporarily closed off after the tragedy, but reopened later Friday. Opening statements previewed how the trial will hinge less on varying accounts of the accident and instead focus on Nakajiigo's biography and earning potential, which is used to calculate a portion of the damages. Staying with companions while hiking allows for emergency aid contact, as was the case in this mans tragic death. Then She Was Charged with Murder, Danny Masterson Rape Trial Declared a Mistrial After Jurors Are Unable to Come to Unanimous Verdict, Julie Chrisley Said She Was 'Living in Fear' Ahead of Her and Husband Todd's Sentencing. Higgins did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. An unidentified 60-year-old woman and 65-year-old man were killed in the fall Friday into the lower bowl area next to the iconic arch, according to a statement from the Grand County Sheriffs Office in Moab, Utah. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. Below, youll find general hiking safety for the park that greatly increases the safety of your trip: In all national parks, the buddy system will always be the best way to ensure a safe visit. Capitol Reef National Park - 238 miles. The weather was inclement and conditions were slippery following rain and snow. The family's lawsuit claims when the national parks reopened in April 2020 after being shuttered due to COVID-19, rangers at the national park in Utah didn't 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.". Denver7's Lance Hernandez reports. According to park officials, staff located the deceased female in the Devils Garden Area around 6:45 p.m. Paramore apologizes to This story has been shared 167,214 times. Nakajjigo grew up in Uganda and at 17 was recognized by the United Nations for her work for women shed donated her college tuition money to start a nonprofit community health center that provided free reproductive health services to young women. We asked the Park Service about the swing gates and were told that both sides are now padlocked when in the "open" position. Wake up to the day's most important news. 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 An investigation is underway and an analysis is expected from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner to determine more details. WebArches National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a variety of unique and diverse wildlife. 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That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic Air Medical, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,and Grand County. In a statement to the newspaper, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah Trina Higgins, said Nakajjigo's family was entitled to damages. In October, Nakajjigos husband, Ludovic Michaud, and her parents filed a $270 million wrongful death claim a precursor to a formal lawsuit against the park, alleging that the gate should have been secured to prevent it from swinging into the road. Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:30am by Lolo. The others are Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. "The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Uganda's 'Young Personality of the Year,'" the Denver Post reported. "She was the woman I was trying to spend my life with," said the Parisian who'd moved to the U.S. "Everything was perfect.". Two California visitors fell to their deaths while hiking to the Delicate Arch sandstone formation in Arches National Park. Liability is the exception rather than the rule, Kozlowski said. Nakajjigo and Michaud spent June 13, 2020, at Arches National Park in Utah as a way to celebrate their one-year anniversary of when they first met, according to They argue that the U.S. Park Service was negligent and did not maintain the gates at the entrances and exits to the parks, leading to Nakajjigos death. Esther 71-Year-Old Man Collapses, Dies During Arches National Park Hike, Arches National Park Safety breakdown here, Arches trip, see our full overview of the national park here, Never rely on a cellular phone to summon help; cellular service will not reach into many areas of Arches, If you become lost, stay where you are and wait for rescue, Wandering alone will endanger your life and make finding you difficult, When traveling alone, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. WebThe cheapest way to get from Arches National Park to Death Valley National Park costs only $131, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. WebDeath Valley is known for its austere, barren, Mars-like terrain, but for a few weeks in the spring, this desolate National Park transforms into a colorful wildflower-studded garden. Michaud and his in-laws previously filed a claim with the National Park Service a step toward filing the lawsuit asking for $270 million. A newlywed Denver couples road trip to Arches National Park in Utah this summer ended in tragedy when a metal gate at the park exit swung open, impaled the couples car and decapitated the woman, a 25-year-old Ugandan human rights activist. / CBS/AP. During the trial, a U.S. attorney representing the government said, "The United States was 100 percent at fault. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Esther Nakajjigo, whod moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, was killed instantly. At this time, I do not have more information to share.". He noted she had recently worked as a host at a restaurant around the time of her death and didn't have a Bachelor's degree. We've received your submission. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. CPR was performed on the individual on site. Luca Galuzzi via Wikimedia Commons. She could lift mountains, basically, in her own way. The show saw an audience of 6.3 million each week, and Nakajjigo was named Ugandas Young Personality of the Year.. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim said. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! The incident will remain under investigation by the Grand County Sheriffs Office as well as the National Park Service, the outlet cites. WebDeath Valley is known for its austere, barren, Mars-like terrain, but for a few weeks in the spring, this desolate National Park transforms into a colorful wildflower-studded garden. There was less than a second between when the gate started to move and when it struck the car and killed Nakajjigo, according to the report. End your National Park Log with a "Well, That Happened Checklist" and a page to list goals for your next visit; COLLECT THE WHOLE SERIES: There are 32 unique and beautiful covers in this National Park Passport Journal series. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. "I'm trying to be a star, to be able to lighten the lives of the people who feel it's dark," she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. @ArielleHarrison https://t.co/YoCT50YObz. Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo's husband Ludovic Michaud will receive $9.5 million while her mother Christine Namagembe will receive $700,000, according to the judgment filed in federal court. United Statesattorneys do not dispute that park officials shouldered the blame but argued the amount the family should be awarded is far less at $3.5 million and called into question the ways in which the damages being sought were calculated. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. A woman stands beneath Double Arch in Arches National Park near Moab in Utah. Photo provided by Ludovic Michaud Esther Nakajjigo, a Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in Arches National Park in Utah on June 13, 2020. "I don't want anyone or any other family to go through what we've been through," Michaud told CBS affiliate KUTV. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, The family is reportedly suing the park for $270 million. WebFurnace Creek Campground Death Valley National Park Winter is the best time of year to camp at Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley National Park. At Arches, you can expect to see animals such as bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and a variety of bird species such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons. It wasnt immediately clear why the three fell. The pole gate pierced the passenger compartment of the couple's rental car, a Chevy Malibu, and decapitated Esther. He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. Arches National Park. Denver7 reached out to he National Park Service to ask about the accident. Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, White supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes kicked out of CPAC, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Biden team readies new advisory panel ahead of expected reelection bid, House Democrats unhappy with White House handling of D.C.'s new criminal code, Vast majority of U.S. homes are unaffordable to the average buyer. (Athea Trial Lawyers) Esther Nakajjigo is shown in this undated photo. Shes been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice. The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda sued the National Park Service in June 2021 after she was decapitated the previous year by a gate at Utah's Arches National This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its Nakajjigo's younger brother John, who traveled from Uganda to the U.S. to be at the trial, told KUTV that life without his sister has been extremely tough, but he is grateful for the opportunity to be at the trial and also meet Nakajjigo's husband for the first time. 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 Tragically, the father was pronounced deceased at the scene. Canyonlands National Park - 339 miles. Ludovic Michaud and his new wife, Esther Nakajjigo, were driving aroundArches National Parkon a windy spring day in 2020 when a metal gate whipped around, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated Nakajjigo. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Death Valley National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on August 17, 2022 USCA Case #19-1044 Document #1987865 Filed: 02/28/2023 Page 3 of 7 Arches National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on October 18, 2022 8. (Photo by: Andrew Lloyd/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images). She was also the brains behind two reality TV shows that aimed to empower young mothers and encourage girls to stay in school. Nakajjigo was a humanitarian who had won numerous awards and recognition for her work. While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Tree, this California park doesnt get enough recognition for its beauty. FOX 13 reported earlier this year how Nakajjigo died June 13, 2020, after wind caught a traffic control gate and blew it into the rented Chevy Malibu driven by her husband, Ludo Michaud. A hike through scenic Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, turned deadly for one man on Friday after he collapsed and became unresponsive on the trail. The 46-foot-tall Delicate Arch is the largest free-standing arch and the most widely known of the 2,000 arches in the park, which draws more than 1.5 million visitors per year. Additionally, The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will analyze the mans body due to the sudden, unexpected and unknown manner of his death, local 2KUTV reports. Liability, if any, would have to be based on proof of willful wanton misconduct, sometimes referred to as gross negligence.. A video of the crash shows Michaud was driving and Nakajjigo was in the front passenger seat as they drove toward the gate at about the same speed as other vehicles, according to a sheriffs report. Photo courtesy Grand County Sheriff's Office. Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest national park on earth. One area visitor responding to the Facebook post by the sheriff said there were extremely strong winds near the arch. The family Essie Nakajjigo, an activist who died in Arches National Park in 2020, is preparing to head to trial for a wrongful death lawsuit. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, Her "Emergency response personnel from the National Park Service, Grand County Sheriffs Office, Grand County EMS, Moab City Police Department, Utah Highway Patrol and Moab Valley Fire Department responded to the scene to provide assistance. And we want to express on behalf of the United States our profound sorrow for your loss," per the newspaper. Nakajjigo was a performer who used her celebrity to improve the status of women and girls in Uganda. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. A spokeswoman said the single vehicle accident happened June 13 on the entrance road of Arches National Park, near the Visitor's Center, and that the entrance was shut down for several hours. Join. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. She said there was nothing that visually set them apart. Attorneys for the family of a Ugandan activist killed by a swinging metal gate at Arches National Park in Utah are seeking $140 million in damages in a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government By SAM METZ Associated Press December 5, 2022, 3:24 PM FILE - Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near She joined the paper in 2019 and previously worked as a crime reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga Times Free Press in Tennessee. "It could have happened to the people in front of us, or behind us," he said. Fourteen people died in North Cascades in those 15 years, when an average of just over 25,000 See details. Delicate Arch is one of the three main arches featured on Utah license plates. They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. She described Nakajjigo as a prominent women's rights activist who rose from poverty to become the host of a solutions-oriented reality television series in Uganda focused on empowering women on issues such as education and healthcare. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah - An investigation is underway after a hiker collapsed and later died at Arches National Park in Utah. Thanks for contacting us. Canyonlands National Park Jan. 31, 2023 Plan completed on October 18, 2022 9. 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 1 / 9. The park had 3.7 deaths for every 100,000 visitors from 2007 to 2021, more than three times the rate of the next-deadliest site, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Reserve in southern Alaska, according to the data from the National Park Service. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. To plan the safest and most enjoyable Arches trip, see our full overview of the national park here. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rep. Andy Biggs to challenge Kevin McCarthy for GOP House Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Sick trolls leak gruesome Maggie Murdaugh autopsy photo after it was accidentally shown on livestream, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after brain aneurysm, How Ariana Madix discovered Tom Sandoval was cheating on her with Raquel Leviss, Raquel Leviss, Tom Sandoval affair allegedly pre-dated Tom Schwartz hookup, Max Scherzer's first look at the new pitch clock, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. Aptly named for the many red rock formations that look like arches within the park, Delicate Arch is one of the most famous. Stars of 'Tiger King' : Where Are They Now? Out in this vast, challenging desert, location and rescue can take hours even days. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In opening statements Monday in Salt Lake City, attorneys representing Michaud and Nakajjigo's family said they were seeking $140 million in damages from the government. Prosecuting attorney Randi McGinn described the death in gruesome detail and said if Nakajjigos life had not been cut short, she would have gone on to become a non-profit CEO who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions. On Sept. 1, Laundrie returned to his parents' home in Florida alone. Crater Lake National Park. When California has experienced consistent winter rains, the spring wildflower blooms in Death Valley can reach super bloom status, which last happened in 2016. The womans family alleges the park was negligent in not locking down the gate that rammed through her car. Nakajjigo was Uganda's ambassador for women and girls, and ran a health center in her home country that she set up when she was just 17 years old to provide free health services to adolescents. Each area is unique and provides its guests with diverse experiences so it is good to stay in one of these areas or the nearby villages of Valles, Williams, and Tusayan. There, an investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and Grand County. It worked. WebDeath Valley National Park Spring Highlights DESERT WILDFLOWERS Spring in Death Valley can bring stunning wildflower blooms, which are uniquely contrasted against the austere terrain. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round, regardless of the weather. Zion National Park - 196 miles. For more on the parks HEAT KILLS safety program, see our full Arches National Park Safety breakdown here. 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