Seattle, WA – In a recent verdict, a jury has absolved the Washington State Patrol (WSP) of any responsibility in the death of Summer Taylor, a protester who was fatally struck during a demonstration on Interstate 5 back in 2020. The lawsuit brought forth by Taylor’s family sought $24 million in damages, attributing negligence to the troopers for not ensuring the safety of the Black Lives Matter protesters that Taylor was part of.
The tragic incident occurred when Dawit Kelete, driving home early on July 4, entered the freeway where the protest was taking place and collided with Taylor and another demonstrator. Taylor succumbed to their injuries shortly after at a hospital. Kelete was later arrested and has since been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide. Despite the family’s claims, the jury pinpointed Kelete as solely responsible for the negligence leading to Taylor’s death.
After deliberating, the jury awarded $6 million in damages to Taylor’s family, to be paid by Kelete. The verdict has sparked varied reactions, including disappointment from Taylor’s representatives. Their attorney, Karen Koehler, expressed sadness over the decision, highlighting that the family believed the state also bore some of the blame. Koehler emphasized that while the jury’s decision is respected, it felt like a missed opportunity to hold the state accountable for what they viewed as inadequate measures to safeguard the protesters.
The courtroom saw intense moments, especially during the presentation of evidence like videos showing Kelete’s car maneuvering dangerously before hitting the protesters. Senior Counsel with the Attorney General’s office, Steve Puz, argued that Kelete’s decision to drive up the exit ramp was a clear act of recklessness. He also pointed to the fact that protesters standing on the freeway contributed to the dangerous situation, a standpoint that stirred further debate about the legality and safety of such demonstrations.
The state’s representative put forth that the actions of state troopers and transportation officials were in line with managing a highly unusual and dynamic situation. On multiple occasions prior to the incident, state authorities had closed the freeway to traffic to mitigate risks as protests along I-5 had become a regular occurrence in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
While WSP was exonerated from claims of negligence, the jury’s acknowledgment that Taylor was not negligent for participating in the protest on the freeway was viewed by some as a moral victory. Koehler referred to it as a “legacy verdict” – an affirmation to those who protested, emphasizing they did so honorably within the confines of the law, despite the unconventional and typically illegal nature of their location.
This verdict also ignites further discussions around the policies and decisions concerning public safety and the right to protest, especially when such activities intersect with busy public thoroughfares like interstates. The incident and its aftermath are a somber reminder of the complex balance between lawful protests and public safety, prompting ongoing debates over how such events should be managed to prevent future tragedies.