Kandula, a 23-year-old postgraduate student from Andhra Pradesh, was fatally struck by a police patrol car on 23 January 2023 while crossing a street in Seattle’s South Lake Union area.
Published Jan 07, 2025 | 12:42 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 07, 2025 | 12:42 PM
Jaahnavi Kandula
Nearly two years after Indian postgraduate student Jaahnavi Kandula was killed by a speeding patrol car, the Seattle Police Department has dismissed the officer responsible, the Seattle Times reported.
Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr announced the dismissal on Monday, 6 January, after an internal investigation found Officer Dave guilty of violating multiple departmental policies, including the safe operation of a police vehicle during an emergency.
“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 an email to staff, according to the Seattle Times.
“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 dismissal follows widespread public outcry over the incident, reigniting criticism of police conduct and accountability in the United States.
Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Seattle and Officer Dave, seeking $110 million in damages. The trial is set to begin in September.
The Indian consulate in Seattle has pledged ongoing support for Kandula’s family.
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Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, was struck and killed on 23 January 2023 while crossing a street in Seattle’s South Lake Union area.
Kandula, then a postgraduate student at Northeastern University, had the right of way when Officer Kevin Dave hit her with his patrol car.
Dave was responding to a drug overdose emergency and was driving at 74 mph (nearly 120 km/h) in a 25 mph zone.
Investigators later revealed that Dave braked for less than a second and was still travelling at 63 mph when he struck Kandula, throwing her body over 40 metres. Kandula died at the scene.
Northeastern University posthumously awarded Kandula her degree, presenting it to her family in her honour.
Also read: IIM-B student’s death: Accidental fall after birthday celebration, say Bengaluru police
The investigation into the incident sparked controversy after King County prosecutors announced in February 2024 that they would not press criminal charges against Officer Dave.
Prosecutors argued there was insufficient evidence to prove reckless driving or impairment beyond a reasonable doubt.
Instead, Dave received a $5,000 fine for second-degree negligent driving, along with requirements to complete community service and a traffic safety course.
Public outrage grew further after body-camera footage surfaced of another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and making callous remarks about Kandula’s death.
In the recording, Auderer dismissed the incident, saying Kandula had “limited value” and suggesting the city pay her family $11,000 in compensation.
These comments sparked international condemnation, with protests erupting in Seattle against police insensitivity and lack of accountability. Auderer was fired in July 2024 for his remarks.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
