They headed to Arches National Park as soon as the park reopened in June, eager for an adventure. 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 They went on a hike and had a picnic, and were driving to get ice cream when the gate swung into their path. 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. 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. I guess the great state of Utah wanted to keep it all for herself. 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 Death Valley National Park in California might be one of the most underrated parks in the country. She said there was nothing that visually set them apart. Esther Nakajjigo, a native of Uganda, accomplished more at age 25 than most do in a lifetime. In Sequoia National Park, the highlight is seeing the massive redwood trees, some of which may be up to 2,000 "Delicate arch looks like it might fall over at any time. If you have a story idea or tip for the FOX 13 Investigative unit, please share it with us below: Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. A third man who fell was airlifted to a local hospital in Moab. She was also the brains behind two reality TV shows that aimed to empower young mothers and encourage girls to stay in school. The weather was inclement and conditions were slippery following rain and snow. 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 Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Get to know all 17 Denver mayor candidates , Denver newlyweds trip to Arches National Park ends with wifes death, Two vehicles involved in fatal Aurora crash at Montview Boulevard, Florence Street, Eight people injured in two separate traffic crashes in Denver, I-25 northbound reopens after crash near Denver Tech Center, I-70 westbound reopened after fatal auto-pedestrian crash, Intersection of 32nd and Federal in Highland reopened after rollover crash, Colorado lawmakers consider family court reforms as parents sue custody evaluator who disbelieves 90% of abuse allegations, One Texas judge will decide fate of abortion pill used by millions of American women, Denver gang member gave 14-year-old permission to open fire on woman with AR-15 after fender-bender, DA alleges, Boulder King Soopers shooting suspect has schizophrenia, defense says, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, In-N-Out is officially coming to Northern Colorado, Denver East High student dies more than two weeks after being shot outside school, Denver Botanic Gardens announces 2023 Summer Concert Series lineup, Letters: Proposed age limit for gun ownership in Colorado doesn't make sense, Multiple Colorado schools temporarily placed under secure status due to threats, Boulder house where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Denver East High students don't feel safe in wake of fatal shooting, repeated threats, Kiszla: With Brendan Rodgers down and out, Kris Bryant could become $182 million face of worst team in Rockies history, After School Satan Club launching first Colorado chapter, but organizer promises "we are not devil worshippers", As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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 2023 FOX Television Stations, Film fanatics headed to Luck ranch for Texas Film Hall of Fame, New street drug 'tranq dope,' rots skin, turns humans into 'zombies', Girl Scouts victim of theft in South Austin; no girls injured, San Marcos police searching for hit-and-run suspect; 61-year-old victim still unable to walk, Man charged in shooting death of Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso ordered held without bond, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Giant bug found at an Arkansas Walmart identified as a Jurassic-era insect, Teen musician Dorian 'ZEV' Kweller remembered as uniquely talented, hard-working, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Camila Alves McConaughey on Austin flight that 'dropped almost 4,000 feet'; 7 people reportedly hurt, Austin weather: Warmer temps continue into next week, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. "I turned my head and saw what I wish I didn't see.". Staying with companions while hiking allows for emergency aid contact, as was the case in this mans tragic death. Many of these incidents could be avoided with visitors planning and making responsible decisions. WebHet Arches National Park is een klein nationaal park bij Moab in het oosten van de Amerikaanse staat Utah.Er zijn diverse wandelingen (trails) in het park.Ook is er een bezoekerscentrum. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, 25, 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. A video tribute to his wife showed her talking about her name, in an earlier recording. He said he didn't deny Nakajjigo was an extraordinary person, but argued it was difficult to speculate what kind of work she would have gone on to do. 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. Esther Nakajjigo, whod moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend the Watson Institute in Boulder, was killed instantly. 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.". Lehman Caves Visitor Center Grand Canyon National Park is divided into 4 major areas: The South Rim, North Rim, Grand Canyon East, and West Grand Canyon. Petito was found deceased in Wyoming on September 19, 2021, at the Grand Teton National Park. Zion National Park - 196 miles. Wake up to the day's most important news. 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. This story has been shared 167,214 times. Nakajjigo was a performer who used her celebrity to improve the status of women and girls in Uganda. 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. Didn't even get to touch lava." Photo provided by Ludovic Michaud Esther Nakajjigo, a Ugandan human rights activist, was killed in Arches National Park in Utah on June 13, 2020. Esther Nakajjigo was killed at Arches National Park in 2020. After moving to Colorado, Nakajjigo met her husband hed moved to the area from France and the pair married in March, just as the coronavirus pandemic began to make news. 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. (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. The family of a women's rights activist from Uganda has filed a more than $270 million wrongful death claim against the National Park Service. (Athea Trial Lawyers) Esther Nakajjigo is shown in this undated photo. Many have said that Dead Horse Point State Park has been overlooked by the National Park Service. 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. She was one in a billion, Your Honor, attorney Randi McGinn told the judge, according to FOX 13 Salt Lake City. In June, the couple needed a break from quarantine, so they drove to Utah. During the trial, a U.S. attorney representing the government said, "The United States was 100 percent at fault. Sadly, deaths are not uncommon in the park. Nakajjigo accomplished more by age 25 than most people do in a lifetime. Where is the National Park Visitor Center? 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. A hike through scenic Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, turned deadly for one man on Friday after he collapsed A man has died after collapsing to the ground while hiking in Arches National Park. 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. Yosemite, and Death Valley. 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. (Photo by: Andrew Lloyd/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images). But on June 13, she and her husband needed a break from quarantine and headed toward Arches National Park in Utah. 1 / 9. / CBS/AP. It might fall over in the future. First published on December 6, 2022 / 9:23 AM. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Deputies of the Grand County Sheriff's Office reported that a 71 year old One area visitor responding to the Facebook post by the sheriff said there were extremely strong winds near the arch. He was airlifted to Moab Regional Hospital. 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. WebArches National Park and Death Valley National Park are both home to a variety of unique and diverse wildlife. Here are our favorites. I want to see hotel recommendations when using Rome2rio Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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. Shelly Bradbury is the courts reporter at the Denver Post. The metal pole forming the top of the gate pierced the passenger side of the car and struck Nakajjigo in the head and neck. 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 the Associated Press. 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 Her case was labeled a homicide, with Laundrie being the sole suspect. She also said it should have been installed to swing inwards for incoming traffic, not outwards. Essie's father John Bocso Kateregga will receive $350,000. "On behalf of the United States, we again extend our condolences to Ms. Nakajjigo's friends, family and beloved community.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "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.". "Paid $20 to get in. The trail up to Delicate Arch has reopened for use. Two California visitors fell to their deaths while hiking to the Delicate Arch sandstone formation in Arches National Park. The mild temperatures, stunning desert landscapes, and lack of crowds make it an ideal place for peaceful winter camping. "For how majestic these parks are, it's kind of shocking how rudimentary these gates are," she said. Other covers in the series include Arches, Death Valley, Denali, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite,