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, sliced through the passenger door of his car and decapitated his new 25-year-old wife, Esther "Essie" Nakajjigo. 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. Death Valley National Park, California-Nevada It's a place of extremes: Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on earth, it's also one of the darkest. 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. The park service previously issued a statement expressing sympathy to Nakajjigos family. Wake up to the day's most important news. @ArielleHarrison https://t.co/YoCT50YObz. Luca Galuzzi via Wikimedia Commons. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. His body was transferred to the Grand County Medical Examiners Office. A woman stands beneath Double Arch in Arches National Park near Moab in Utah. Liability is the exception rather than the rule, Kozlowski said. DENVER -- Ludovic Michaud has notified the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service that he intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit because of a In June, the couple needed a break from quarantine, so they drove to Utah. WebGRAND COUNTY, Utah A trial is underway after a woman was decapitated at Arches National Park. She said entrance gates should be locked into place whether they are open or closed. This story has been shared 152,729 times. Didn't even get to touch lava." WebArches National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a variety of unique and diverse wildlife. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good, the claim said. The weather was inclement and conditions were slippery following rain and snow. Things to do in Zion. 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. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. View of the Delicate Arch at sunset in the Arches National Park near Moab, Utah on April 21, 2018. Utah (ABC4) Staff members at Arches National Park recovered a deceased body on Saturday, October 1, 2022. But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. Unseasonably warm temperatures can take hold of the desert any time of year. 3. r/JoshuaTree. McGinn said if her life hadn't been cut short that Nakajjigo's trajectory suggested she would have gone on to become a nonprofit CEO who could eventually have netted an annual income in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions. 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. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. TOLERABLE TEMPS While winter is the best time to visit for cool temps, early spring temperatures range between lows in the 50s and highs in the 90s. 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. RELATED: Utah teen dies after falling 150 feet while climbing near cliff, police say. Two California visitors fell to their deaths while hiking to the Delicate Arch sandstone formation in Arches National Park. Deputies of the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that a 71 year old Laundrie reportedly confessed to killing Petito in a notebook found near his partial remains. "I've always wanted to meet him, though not in this way," he said. This story was reported from Los Angeles. This story has been shared 144,788 times. He ultimately took his own life at a nearby environmental park. We asked the Park Service about the swing gates and were told that both sides are now padlocked when in the "open" position. Esther Nakajjigo, whod moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, was killed instantly. Esther A video tribute to his wife showed her talking about her name, in an earlier recording. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, and more. It has that national park feel. (Athea Trial Lawyers) Esther Nakajjigo is shown in this undated photo. Always check the weather before visiting Arches. Apparently when Disneyland says no selfies, they mean it - even if you're a celebrity! Join. The family is reportedly suing the park for $270 million. 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. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. 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. See details. Of the accidents aftermath, Michaud told FOX 13: I saw the worst thing I hope I will ever see.. Family Files $270M Claim Against National Park Service After Death of 25-Year-Old Newlywed: Reports, Boy, 14, Killed at North Carolina Rodeo During First Bull Ride: 'My Lil Cowboy', Tom Girardi, Estranged Husband of 'RHOBH' Star Erika Girardi, Indicted on Fraud Charges, Veteran Alleges George Santos Scammed Him Out of $3K Meant for Dog's Cancer Treatment Santos Denies It, Girl, 17, Dies Suddenly at Treatment Center for Teens Second Case in Utah This Year, Newlywed Found Decapitated in Her Home, Her Husband of 3 Months Allegedly Confessed to Killing Her, Who Was Halyna Hutchins? The suit does not specify the amount the plaintiffs are seeking, though it accuses park staff of negligence. 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. 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. A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. Aptly named for the many red rock formations that look like arches within the park, Delicate Arch is one of the most famous. A hike through scenic Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, turned deadly for one man on Friday after he collapsed On February 24, park witnesses Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. Essie's father John Bocso Kateregga will receive $350,000. According to park officials, staff located the deceased female in the Devils Garden Area around 6:45 p.m. Paramore apologizes to They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. A 71-year-old visitor from Massachusetts collapsed and died on a family hike at Arches National Park in Utah, the National Park Service reported. 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. Shes been a reporter since 2012, focused on criminal justice. WebHere are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. It might fall over in the future. In Sequoia National Park, the highlight is seeing the massive redwood trees, some of which may be up to 2,000 WebFactors that make Arches National Park sensitive to visitor damage include being a semiarid region, the scarce, unpredictable rainfall, lack of deep freezing, and lack of plant litter, which results in soils that have both a low resistance to and slow recovery from, compressional forces such as foot traffic. Nakajjigo was a humanitarian who had won numerous awards and recognition for her work. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Tuxedo cat named Augustus Gloop is up for adoption, Utah BASE jumper slams into side of mountain. Het Arches National Park is bekend vanwege de indrukwekkende rotsformaties en balancerende rotsen zoals de Courthouse Towers, Windows Section, 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. 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 Bryce Canyon National Park - 188 miles. Denver7 reached out to he National Park Service to ask about the accident. Lehman Caves Visitor Center 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 Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. 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. It worked. 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. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. Winter conditions make for slippery hiking; proceed with caution. Please enter valid email address to continue. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, 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 Here are our favorites. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. An investigation is underway and an analysis is expected from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner to determine more details. Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Part of HuffPost Environment. This incident happened June 13 just before 2 p.m. as the couple were leaving the park, according to the claim. WebEstimated Distance from nearby National Park. "For how majestic these parks are, it's kind of shocking how rudimentary these gates are," she said. Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Two tourists fell to their death while hiking in a popular area of Utahs Arches National Park on Friday, authorities said. UT; National Park; 23 miles and 0.5 hours from our last stop - 1 night stay. Its known for a series of sculpture-like fins and arches made of an orange sandstone that wind and water have eroded for centuries. They appeared to be hiking together and may have been related, noted the sheriffs statement. A third Californian, a 30-year-old man, also fell and was injured. First responders arrived on the scene and performed CPR before the man was pronounced dead. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 Liability, if any, would have to be based on proof of willful wanton misconduct, sometimes referred to as gross negligence.. 1 / 9. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! While most people have heard of Yosemite and Joshua Tree, this California park doesnt get enough recognition for its beauty. WebThe park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. Tragically, the father was pronounced deceased at the scene. Nakajjigo was a performer who used her celebrity to improve the status of women and girls in Uganda. 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. 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. Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead on sale for nearly $7 million. That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic Air Medical, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,and Grand County. 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. Our thoughts and condolences are with Nakajjigos friends and families. In order to stay healthy in this climate, it is best toavoid hiking in the middle of the day in Arches. 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. "For the sake of a padlock and chain, that you have in your garage that is all that would have made a difference in his world," Chang said. On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becomingunresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report. "It could have happened to the people in front of us, or behind us," he said. Sadly, deaths are not uncommon in the park. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The trial began Dec. 5 in Utah and was meant to determine how much money was owed to the family, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. In Pittsburgh, she helped the newspaper earn the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news after a mass shooting at a local synagogue, and in 2020 she was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting for an investigation into child sexual abuse among Amish and Mennonite communities. "For want of an $8 basic padlock, our world lost an extraordinary warrior for good," the claim said. The incident will remain under investigation by the Grand County Sheriffs Office as well as the National Park Service, the outlet cites. WebArches National Park has a busy search and rescue operation. On February 24, park witnesses saw the 71-year-old male collapsing to the ground and becoming unresponsive, Arches (ARCH) officials report.That afternoon, emergency personnel would respond from Classic 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 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. 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. The gate reportedly smashed through the side of the car and struck Nakajjigo in the neck, killing her. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:30am by Lolo. (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. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. "Essie was a remarkable humanitarian and champion for women and girls. The couple hiked to Delicate Arch and ate lunch in the Windows area before starting their drive out of the park. Photo: Getty Images. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its The plaintiffs contend multiple federal policies require such gates to be secured, but that the gate near the visitors center at Arches was unlatched for two weeks before it struck Nakajjigo. There, an investigation into the incident is being conducted by the National Park Service and Grand County. An unidentified 60-year-old woman and Arches National Park is a 120-square-mile desert landscape near Moab, Utah, that is visited by more than 1.5 million people annually. Read More FILE Delicate Arch is seen at Arches National Park on April 25, 2021, near Moab, Utah. Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. Arches park rangers respond to hundreds of search and rescue incidents (SARs) each year in both Arches and Canyonlands. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. 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.. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, The Associated Press 2:50 PM MST on Jan 31, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY 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 "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. Heat-related She was also the brains behind two reality TV shows that aimed to empower young mothers and encourage girls to stay in school. 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 Her case was labeled a homicide, with Laundrie being the sole suspect. Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest national park on earth. Travelogue; This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. A family hike in Arches National Park ended in tragedy as a Massachusetts father collapsed while exploring with his wife and son. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah - An investigation is underway after a hiker collapsed and later died at Arches National Park in Utah.. Park rangers said the Delicate Arch is one of the three main arches featured on Utah license plates. 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. (Photo by: Andrew Lloyd/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images). In fact it is the hottest and driest place on earth period. Trial begins over death of Ugandan woman killed at Arches National Park. Nakajjigo was a Ugandan singer and actress who reportedly did charity work. 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. 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 other words, he added, theres no liability for ordinary negligence. We are grateful that Judge Jenkins honored Essie's life and legacy with this award," Littlepage said in a statement to PEOPLE.
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