In a significant move, a Seattle police officer who killed Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in January 2023 has been dismissed from the police department. Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr confirmed that Officer Kevin Dave has been fired following an investigation that found he violated multiple department policies.
Kandula, a 23-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, India, was fatally struck by Dave’s patrol vehicle while crossing a street in Seattle on January 23, 2023. Dave was reportedly driving at a speed of 74 mph (over 119 km/h) on his way to respond to a drug overdose call when the tragic incident occurred. The impact of the collision hurled Kandula 100 feet, leading to her death.
The Seattle Times reported that Chief Rahr informed department employees via email about Dave’s dismissal. She stated that while Dave may not have intended to cause harm, his reckless driving decision led to the loss of human life and tarnished the reputation of the Seattle Police Department.
“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 in the email. “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 human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department.”
The firing of Dave follows another controversial incident involving the department. Months earlier, Officer Daniel Auderer was dismissed for making insensitive comments and laughing about Kandula’s death. Bodycam footage released by the department captured Auderer laughing after the crash and making callous remarks about the victim.
“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 was heard saying in the footage. He then laughed for several seconds and remarked that the city should “just write a check” for USD 11,000, implying that Kandula’s life had “limited value.”
Auderer later claimed that his comments were meant to ridicule city attorneys who might handle a wrongful death lawsuit. However, Chief Rahr emphasized that his words inflicted significant hurt on Kandula’s family and brought shame to the police department.
“The actions of this individual police officer have brought shame on the Seattle Police Department and our entire profession, making the job of every police officer more difficult,” Rahr wrote in an internal email.
Despite the dismissals, the King County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it would not pursue criminal charges against Dave. Instead, the Seattle City Attorney issued a USD 5,000 traffic infraction against him.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle has been actively engaged in the case, working with authorities and law enforcement officials to ensure justice for Kandula’s family. The Consulate has maintained regular contact with the family’s representatives and assured continued support in seeking justice.
In a statement, the Consulate pledged to monitor the case’s progress and provide assistance to Kandula’s family. “We will continue to extend all possible support to ensure justice for Jaahnavi Kandula and her family,” the statement read.
