Wrongful death trial begins in case of protester hit and killed on Seattle freeway

SEATTLE — A wrongful death trial is set to begin in the case of a protester who was struck and killed on the freeway. Attorneys for Summer Taylor's family argue that the state's “failure to properly and completely close I-5” led to a driver veering into the roadway during a demonstration.

Family members say the events of July 4, 2020, could have been prevented. That night, Taylor was among Black Lives Matter protesters on Interstate 5 when a driver plowed into the demonstration, killing Taylor and injuring Diaz Love, another protester.

The driver, Dawit Kelete, pleaded guilty and is now serving a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence for negligent homicide, negligent assault and reckless driving.

“I hope something positive can come out of this tragedy,” said Matt Taylor, Summer’s father, in July 2020.

Now Summer Taylor’s estate is suing the state of Washington in civil court.

“The city and state were aware of the risks to protesters, including both the risks posed by unsuspecting highway drivers and by drivers striking protesters,” court documents say.

Lawyers for Summer Taylor's family argue that the state could have banned protests on the highway but did not do so.

The state's motion to dismiss the case was denied. The jury selection process began on August 19, with opening arguments expected to begin next week.