New Delhi: Interim Seattle Police chief Sue Rahr has announced the termination of Officer Kevin Dave, who struck 23-year-old Northeastern University graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula in a South Lake Union crosswalk in January 2023, killing her on the spot. Dave was driving at 74 mph, way over the 25 mph speed limit, while responding to a drug overdose call.
Chief Rahr cited findings by the Seattle Office of Police Accountability that Dave violated four department policies, including the failure to use emergency lights and the responsibility for safe vehicle operation, Seattle Times reported.
Andhra native killed in January 2023
“I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and that he was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr wrote. “However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving. His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department.”
The Andhra Pradesh native Kandula had the right of way when she was hit on January 23, 2023. Dave braked for less than a second, still travelling at 63 mph at the time of the impact, launching Kandula’s body nearly 140 feet, the report further mentioned.
In February 2024, King County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Dave, citing insufficient evidence of recklessness. Instead, he was issued a $5,000 citation for second-degree negligent driving. After contesting the ticket, Dave later agreed to pay the fine, attend an eight-hour traffic safety course, and complete 40 hours of community service by September 30, 2024.
Bodycam footage captures callousness of officers
Kandula’s death drew condemnation, particularly after bodycam footage of another officer Daniel Auderer surfaced in September 2023. In the recording, Auderer was heard laughing and making callous remarks about Kandula’s death, referring to her as having “limited value” and suggesting the city write a check for $11,000. “Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car…But she is dead,” Auderer’s bodycam footage recorded him of saying, adding, “Yeah, just write a check. Just, yeah (laughter). USD 11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
Auderer was dismissed from the force in July for his remarks. In September, Kandula’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Seattle and Kevin Dave, alleging severe emotional distress and pain endured by Kandula before her death. The family seeks damages of $110 million plus $11,000. The trial is scheduled for September 2025.
