Summer Taylor, Nonbinary Protestor, Killed By Car in Viral Video

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.

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.

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.

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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