SEATTLE — A wrongful death trial is set to begin in the case of a protester hit and killed on the freeway. Attorneys representing Summer Taylor’s family argue that the state’s “failure to properly and fully close I-5” led to a driver entering the roadway during a demonstration.
Family members say what happened on July 4, 2020, could have been prevented. That night, Taylor was among Black Lives Matter protesters on Interstate 5 when a driver crashed into the demonstration, killing Taylor and injuring Diaz Love, another protester.
The driver, Dawit Kelete, pleaded guilty and is now serving a 6-and-a-half-year prison sentence for vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and reckless driving.
"I hope that something positive can come of this tragedy,” Matt Taylor, Summer’s dad, said back in July of 2020.
Now, the Estate of Summer Taylor is suing the State of Washington in civil court.
"The city and state knew of the risks posed to protesters, including risks from both unsuspecting freeway motorists as well as drivers targeting protesters,” court documents say.
Attorneys representing the family of Summer Taylor argue that the state could have prohibited protests on the freeway but didn't.
The state’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit was denied. The jury selection process began Aug. 19. Opening statements are expected to begin next week.