Summer Taylor was a veterinary clinic worker and Seattle protester who was run over and killed by a car during a protest.
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Summer Taylor
Summer Taylor, a 24-year-old veterinary clinic worker, was named as the Seattle, Washington, protester who was run over by a car during a Black Lives Matter protest.
One friend called Taylor a “blinding light in an otherwise dark world.”
“A coworker and friend was senselessly murdered while fearlessly standing up for what they believed in. We all love you and we all miss you, Summer. You were a blinding light in an otherwise dark world,” she wrote in a Facebook tribute.
The moment the car careened into Taylor and a second person was captured in a viral video. Be forewarned that the video is disturbing. Taylor was from Seattle; the other struck protester, Diaz Love,32, is from Portland, Oregon, and is still alive in serious condition. The alleged driver has been identified as Dawit Kelete,27, of Seattle. Kelete was accused of vehicular assault.
According to the Seattle Times, the protesters with the Black Femme March stopped on the closed interstate during a nightly march and were “dancing to the Cupid Shuffle.”
“I’ll miss your smile, and your gorgeous presence. Rest in peace mama. You made a difference and your voice will be heard,” wrote one friend on Taylor’s Facebook page.
Here’s what you need to know:
Here are two pictures of the suspect vehicle that struck two protesters on I-5 this morning. Investigation into motive and point of entry in to I-5 are still under investigation. pic.twitter.com/gU1QH6TFTu
Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) July 4,2020
The freeway was closed at the time Taylor was struck. “I am on scene of the incident on I-5 and Olive way. A vehicle drove through the closure and struck multiple pedestrians on the freeway. Two people were transported to Harborview. One with life threatening injuries and one with serious injuries,” the public information officer for the Washington State Patrol wrote before Taylor passed away.
“The vehicle has been stopped and the driver is in custody. Troopers are investigating at this time. The SB lanes of I-5 will continue to be close for a while,” say authorities. The Seattle Times reported that the vehicle “swerved around two vehicles positioned as a barrier to protect protesters across the I-5 lanes.”
According to a probable cause statement obtained by the Seattle Times, “The driver was reserved and appeared sullen throughout his time in custody. At one point he asked if the injured pedestrians were okay.”
ABC7 reported that authorities suspect Kelete “drove the wrong way on a ramp” and the motive is still unclear.
Diaz Love was streaming live at the protest.
On June 27, the Washington State Patrol had written about safety concerns. “We have heard from many frustrated citizens regarding the traffic disruptions caused by the temporary closures of the freeway due to protests. First, let me say thank you for reaching out to us. We are public servants responsible for safety and the enforcement of our state’s laws and while we always try to satisfy the legitimate concerns of those we serve, in this case I’m afraid our response will not be totally satisfying to all,” a statement read.
