Jul 2022
The family of a womenβs rights activist who was killed in a gruesome accident at a national park is suing a US agency over her tragic death.
The family of a womenβs rights activist who was decapitated in an accident on a trip with her new husband has sued the US government agency responsible for the park where she died.
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.
Ms Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludo Michaud, 26, were driving out of the scenic parkβs 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.
Mr Michaud and Ms Nakajjigoβs family have filed a lawsuit in a US court accusing the National Park Service of negligence, Fox 13 reports.
Esther Nakajjigo had been on her honeymoon at Utahβs Arches National Park when she was killed. Picture: Handout
Esther Nakajjigo had been on her honeymoon at Utahβs Arches National Park when she was killed. Picture: Handout
The sum they are seeking has not been disclosed, however a previous claim filed by the family against the National Park Service β which is the step before a lawsuit can be filed β asked for more than $A351 million.
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 familyβs lawyer Deborah Chang said the gate struck the car so suddenly β and was so well blended into the surrounding landscape β the honeymooning couple had no chance of avoiding it.
Ms Chang described the part of the gate that struck Ms Nakajjigo as being like a βmetal spear or a lanceβ and hit the car in βliterally a split secondβ.
The family of a womenβs rights activist who was decapitated in an accident on a trip with her new husband has sued the US government agency responsible for the park where she died.
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.
Ms Nakajjigo and her husband, Ludo Michaud, 26, were driving out of the scenic parkβs 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.
Mr Michaud and Ms Nakajjigoβs family have filed a lawsuit in a US court accusing the National Park Service of negligence, Fox 13 reports.
Esther Nakajjigo had been on her honeymoon at Utahβs Arches National Park when she was killed. Picture: Handout
Esther Nakajjigo had been on her honeymoon at Utahβs Arches National Park when she was killed. Picture: Handout
The sum they are seeking has not been disclosed, however a previous claim filed by the family against the National Park Service β which is the step before a lawsuit can be filed β asked for more than $A351 million.
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 familyβs lawyer Deborah Chang said the gate struck the car so suddenly β and was so well blended into the surrounding landscape β the honeymooning couple had no chance of avoiding it.
Ms Chang described the part of the gate that struck Ms Nakajjigo as being like a βmetal spear or a lanceβ and hit the car in βliterally a split secondβ.
