Seattle, WA – In a significant legal ruling, a Seattle jury on Thursday awarded $6 million to the family of a Black Lives Matter protester who was fatally struck by a car on a closed interstate. The incident, which occurred amid the protests in July 2020, highlighted the ongoing legal and civil discourse surrounding protest safety and state liability.
The protester, 24-year-old Summer Taylor, lost their life when Dawit Kelete, who was driving the wrong way on Interstate 5, hit them. Another protester suffered critical injuries during the incident. Following the incident, Kelete, 30, was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison in September 2023 after being found guilty of vehicular homicide among other charges.
The lawsuit also named the state of Washington as a defendant, claiming inadequate preventative measures were taken to ensure the safety of the protesters on the interstate. However, the jury concluded that the state was not negligent in Taylor’s death. During the trial, it was disclosed that state patrol had shut down the interstate for the nightly protests that emerged from the public outcry over George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer.
Arguments in the courtroom detailed the absence of sufficient roadblocks or warning signs to prevent such a tragedy. “No patrol car, no spike strips, no flashing lights, no barricade, nothing… That’s negligence,” argued Karen Koehler, the attorney representing Taylor’s family, during her closing remarks. In contrast, arguments presented by the defense claimed the responsibility lay with Taylor and Kelete for not adhering to the laws which resulted in this tragic accident.
“Had either of them chosen to follow the law that the rest of us are bound by, this doesn’t happen — this accident never happens,” stated Steve Puz, senior counsel for the Washington Attorney General’s Office, during the trial.
Compensation breakdowns in the verdict awarded $1.75 million to each of Taylor’s parents and $2.5 million to their brother. Remembered as a dedicated veterinary assistant aspiring to attend Washington State University’s veterinary school, Taylor was deeply committed to advocating for racial and LGBTQ+ justice.
Taylor’s family expressed relief and gratitude that accountability was recognized, though still grief-stricken by their loss. The case underscores a growing need to address and refine policies related to public protest safety, raising significant questions about state responsibilities and individual rights during peaceful protests.
As debates about the safety of protesters continue to evolve, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexity and risks associated with civil demonstrations and the paramount importance of protective measures to prevent similar tragedies.
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