A Seattle protester who was hit on I-5 during a black lives matter demonstration is suing the city of Seattle, the state of Washington, and the driver who hit her.
Diaz Love, 34, was thrown into the air after she was hit by driver Dawit Kelete. Kelete struck Love after driving onto I-5 from the Stewart Street on-ramp. Love was struck alongside another protestor, Summer Taylor, 24, who was also thrown into the air. Taylor passed away as a result of her injuries while Love suffered several severe injuries including a traumatic brain injury, several fractures, multiple lacerations, and other wounds.
The Seattle Times reports that Love filed her lawsuit in King County Superior Court. Named in the lawsuit are the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Seattle Police Department, and the office of Seattle's mayor.
Love points the blame at city and state officials for being negligent in their failure to protect protesters who took to the streets. According to her lawsuit, Love details that the Washington State Patrol’s long-standing policy of not allowing protesters onto freeways was changed during the 2020 Summer social justice protests that erupted after the death of George Floyd.
Love details that the protesters felt a sense of security because an alleged meeting between the Washington State Police, the Seattle Police Department, and protest leaders included assurance that the protesters would be protected by the police departments.
The lawsuit details a meeting that took place between May 30th and June 4th in which law enforcement officials worked alongside protest leaders to determine routes for the protest and safety issues related to the protest.
Love’s lawsuit also points out that officials with WSP had recommended to state officials that the state re-implement policies that denied protesters access to the freeway. However, the agency's chief had reiterated that the agency had in place “the safest means possible to avoid injuries or worse” to drivers and protesters.
Love's lawsuit contends that in addition to failing to protect the protesters, WSP and SPD did not properly block off roads that would have kept drivers, including Kelete, off of the Interstate. The police department also did not provide any signage or lighting around the protesters that would have signaled to drivers on the freeway that they were there.
Authorities detail that after Kelete was apprehended, he was found to have suspicious drug paraphernalia in his vehicle but was not under the influence during the accident. Kelete also told a jail official that he had been struggling with an “untreated addiction.” Kelete pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular assault, reckless driving, and vehicular homicide. Shortly after being arrested, Kelete posted his $100,000 bail in late July 2020.
Love is seeking several damages including emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, financial compensation for injuries, and the loss of future income.
The family of Summer Taylor has also filed a similar claim against King County, the city of Seattle, and the state of Washington. Their lawsuit alleges similar claims as Love’s including excessive force by police.
