Crime
Summer Taylor, Nonbinary Protestor, Killed By Car in Viral Video
Another person hit in the footage is in intensive care.
July 06 2020 8:10 AM EST
November 04 2024 9:47 AM EST
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Another person hit in the footage is in intensive care.
A disturbing video obtained by KIRO 7 in Seattle shows the moment Dawite Kelete drove his white Jaguar through a small crowd of protesters on the I-5 freeway in the early morning hours of July 4, killing Summer Taylor, 24, and seriously injuring Diaz Love, 32, of Portland, Oregon.
Taylor, who identifies as nonbinary, was struck and killed while protesting on a closed section of a freeway shortly after midnight. Diaz Love, 32, was also hit while livestreaming the protest on Facebook and remains in intensive care.
According to Washington State Patrol Captain Ron Mead, the freeway had been closed by state patrol to allow the protest.
"He went around a series of vehicles that were blocking I-5 and went around on the shoulder where a group of pedestrians were standing," Mead told reporters Saturday morning.
Trooper Rick Johnson, the public information officer for King County, Washington State Patrol District 1, was on the scene and providing information via Twitter.
\u201cI am on scene of the incident on I-5 and Olive way. A vehicle drove through the closure and struck multiple pedestrians on the freeway. Two people were transported to Harborview. One with life threatening injuries and one with serious injuries.\u201d— Trooper Rick Johnson (@Trooper Rick Johnson) 1593854565
Witnesses say Kelete sped away from the scene after the crash. A protester was able to follow in a vehicle, eventually pulling in front of Kelete and forcing him to stop. He was taken into custody a short time later.
\u201cHere are two pictures of the suspect vehicle that struck two protesters on I-5 this morning. Investigation into motive and point of entry in to I-5 are still under investigation.\u201d— Trooper Rick Johnson (@Trooper Rick Johnson) 1593861424
Reports describe Kelete as sullen and reserved, asking about the well-being of the protestors. Authorities are still seeking a motive, and Kelete was being held without bail pending a hearing today.
Police have now closed the freeway to further protests. Johnson cited the need to protect "the safety of all citizens including protesters and motorists" and announced arrests will be made going forward.
\u201cThe @wastatepatrol will not be allowing protesters to enter I-5. For the safety of all citizens including protesters and motorists, pedestrians walking on the freeway will be arrested. @wspd2pio\u201d— WA State Patrol (@WA State Patrol) 1593916767
Taylor is being fondly remembered as a tireless worker with a big heart at Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital where she was employed. One commenter recalled how "Summer made sure two little kittens with FIV survived and found a happy home" and that she was "heartbroken" over the loss of such an "amazing person.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with the funeral costs.
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