Justice for Jaahnavi: Officer Dismissed After Tragic Collision

Almost a year following the tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student who was hit by a police vehicle in Seattle, the officer at the wheel, Kevin Dave, has been dismissed from his duties at the Seattle Police Department. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Kandula lost her life on January 23, 2023, when she was struck by Dave's patrol as she crossed a. Traveling at a speed of 74 mph (about 119 km/h) in response to a drug overdose call, the impact of the collision sent Kandula flying 100 feet.

Following an investigation by the Seattle Office of Police Accountability which found Officer Dave in breach of four department policies, Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr made the decision to terminate his employment. While acknowledging Dave's intention to respond swiftly to an emergency, Rahr stressed the severity of the outcome. "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. 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," Rahr was quoted in The Seattle Times.

The incident has led to a broader discussion on police conduct and accountability. Prior to Dave's dismissal, another officer, Daniel Auderer, was fired for making insensitive comments and laughing about the crash in bodycam footage. Auderer was recorded laughing while describing how Kandula, "went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car...But she is dead," followed by laughter. Further exacerbating the insensitivity, Auderer joked, "Yeah, just write a check. Just, yeah. $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value," mocking the potential handling of a wrongful death lawsuit by city attorneys.

Rahr expressed profound disappointment in Auderer's conduct, emphasizing the damage it inflicted on Kandula's family and the police department's reputation. "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," she stated.

Despite the egregious nature of the crash, the King County Prosecutor's Office elected not to file criminal charges against Dave. However, he was given a $5,000 traffic infraction by the Seattle City Attorney. Throughout this ordeal, the Indian Consulate General in Seattle has provided unwavering support to Kandula's family, ensuring justice is pursued while closely following developments in the case.

This tragedy has ignited widespread indignation, challenging perceptions of the value of human life and the responsibilities of those sworn to safeguard it. The consulate's commitment to Kandula's family underscores the ongoing quest for accountability and justice in her memory, amidst a broader reckoning with police conduct.