Summer Taylor Struck and Killed, Diaz Love Injured on Interstate 5 [Seattle, WA]

Summer Taylor Dies Struck and Killed While Protesting, Diaz Love Severely Injured on Interstate 5

 
Seattle, WA (July 6, 2020) – On Saturday, Summer Taylor was hit and killed, while Diaz Love sustained severe injuries during a protest on Interstate 5.
 
The incident happened at about 1:40 a.m. when Dawit Kelete of Seattle drove his car around vehicles that were blocking I-5 and suddenly sped into the crowd. The interstate was shut down during this time amid the march.
 
A video taken at the scene by protesters showed people shouting “Car! Car!” as the car approached the protesters.
 
Rescuers rushed Taylor to Harborview Medical Center where the advocate died, while Love is in a serious condition in the intensive care unit in Harborview.
 
Reports said that Love was filming the protest in a nearly two-hour-long Facebook livestream captioned “Black Femme March takes I-5”. The video abruptly ended with a few minutes left.
 
Protesters shouting “car!” can be heard as the camera starts to shake followed with sounds of tires screeching and a loud sound of impact.
 
A graphic video shows a white Jaguar racing toward a group of protesters who were behind several parked cars. The vehicle swerved around the other vehicles, and slammed into the two protesters.
 
The driver immediately fled the scene after hitting the protesters.
 
Meanwhile, one of the other protesters chased the driver for about a mile. He was able to stop him by pulling his car in front of the Jaguar.
 
Authorities arrived at the scene and arrested Kalete.

Kelete’s Arrest

 
Police described Kelete as reserved.
 
Moreover, Kelete was booked into the King County Correctional Facility on Saturday morning on two counts of vehicular assault in which bail was denied.
 
Moreover, the judge found probable cause to hold Kelete on an investigation of vehicular assault. He will be facing a second court hearing on Monday. The judge will then determine if he can be released on bail
 
Officials are investigating his motive as well as how he got onto the interstate, which the state patrol closed.
 
Police are continuing to look into the case as a targeted attack, and whether impairment was a factor.
 
 
The Washington State Patrol said that moving forward, they won’t allow protesters to enter I-5.
 
Seattle has been the site of protests following the May 25 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Protesters had shut down the interstate for 19 days in a row.
 
This is why State Patrol decided to close sections of the interstate to keep drivers and protesters safe.
 
“In a time that requires care and flexibility, we are exercising the safest means possible to avoid injuries or worse to motorists, protesters, WSDOT personnel and our troopers by closing the roadway and separating protesters from vehicular traffic,” said Chief John Batiste
 
Moreover, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said the city stands beside the friends and family of the victims.
 
Seattle police are still investigating the incident.
 
A Gofundme to raise money for Taylor’s memorial expenses is now up. Please consider donating to their family if you have the means.

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We at Sweet Lawyers express our sympathies to the family and friends of Summer Taylor. May you find strength in this time of grief.

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Who to Turn to in Case of Wrongful Death?

 
While the loss of a dear one is irreversible, it is in the best interest of your family to know how to move forward.
 
Subsequently, it is crucial that the family of the victim becomes aware that they have the authority to file a wrongful death suit.
 
A wrongful death claim allows family members to obtain vindication for their dearly departed. Also, it is a step towards recovering from tragedy.
 
“I think the misconception is that when a loved one passes away, the insurance company will automatically admit liability and offer all of the funds available. Insurance companies will try to save money, even if it means not fully compensating for the death of a loved one. When a family retains an attorney immediately, it gives them time to grieve their loss. Meanwhile, their attorney can start focusing on holding the negligent party accountable,” says Tyler Toomey, an attorney at Sweet Lawyers.
 
To conclude, it is best to reach out to the expert attorneys at Sweet Lawyers. We have over 40 years of expertise in the legal field and will do everything it takes to win your legal case. Call our offices at (800) 674 7852. You may also send us an e-mail, or talk to our live chat for a free consultation with a professional in your area.