Elderly Protester Struck by Vehicle in Seattle Demonstration Recovers
Updated (2 articles)
Collision Occurred During Jan 24 Defenders of Democracy Protest 78‑year‑old man was hit while standing in the crosswalk at Northwest Market Street and 22nd Avenue NW during the weekly Defenders of Democracy rally on Jan 24, 2026. Witness David Tookey described the car accelerating around a tight corner, striking the victim and causing him to spin onto the sidewalk before fleeing westward for about 200‑300 feet. A bystander captured the license‑plate image and handed it to police, and investigators do not believe the crash was intentional[1].
Police Identify Suspected Driver but No Contact Confirmed Seattle Police Department officials said the license‑plate photo allowed them to establish the suspected driver’s identity, though they had not yet confirmed any contact with the individual as of Jan 29. The department reiterated that the incident appears unintentional and classified it as a hit‑and‑run. No arrests have been reported, and the investigation remains ongoing[1].
Group Implements Crossing Guards After Incident Diane Berger, co‑founder of Defenders of Democracy, called the event “shocking” and announced that crossing guards will be deployed at future protests beginning the following Saturday to improve safety. The demonstration was originally scheduled before the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, and participants displayed anti‑ICE signs. Medical updates indicate the elderly victim is recovering from his injuries[1].
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Timeline
2025 (mid‑year) – Defenders of Democracy holds weekly protests in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, a series that begins months before the later immigration‑related shooting and focuses on opposition to ICE operations[1].
Dec 3, 2025 – Seattle police arrest a man who, after waking from sleep in a stolen vehicle, repeatedly rams a patrol cruiser on the 400 block of S Jackson Street, causing minor injuries to two officers; the suspect is armed and remains under investigation[2].
Early 2026 – Federal immigration officers fatally shoot Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, a development that intensifies national debate over ICE actions and prompts protesters to display anti‑ICE signs at the Defenders of Democracy demonstrations in Seattle[1].
Jan 24, 2026 – A 78‑year‑old man steps into a crosswalk at Northwest Market Street and 22nd Avenue NW during a Defenders of Democracy protest and is struck by a vehicle that accelerates around a tight corner, spins him onto the sidewalk, and flees westward; witness David Tookey chases the car for 200‑300 feet, shouting “Stop, hit‑and‑run,” while a bystander records the license plate[1].
Jan 27, 2026 – Defenders of Democracy co‑founder Diane Berger announces that crossing guards will be stationed at future protests beginning that Saturday to improve safety amid heightened tensions[1].
Jan 29, 2026 – Seattle Police confirm they have identified the suspected driver from the license‑plate photo but have not yet made contact, and the 78‑year‑old victim continues to recover from his injuries[1].