Jaahnvi Kandula death: US assures swift probe; officer under scanner says he was ‘mocking the lawyers’

“We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC for a thorough investigation & action against those involved in this tragic case. The Consulate & Embassy will continue to closely follow up on this matter with all concerned authorities,” it added.

Kandula, 23, from Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, was allegedly run over in an accident by a speeding police car driven by officer Kevin Austin Dave in Seattle on 23 January night.

The young woman was crossing the road when Dave, travelling at 74 mph (119 kmph) in a 25-mph (40 kmph) zone, hit her in the city’s South Lake Union neighbourhood. Her body was thrown more than 100 feet (30 metres) away in the impact.

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The controversial statement

In a body-camera footage released on 11 September by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) along with a statement, officer Auderer laughed about the deadly incident while dismissing that Dave might be at fault.

Auderer, who is also the Seattle Police Officers’ Guild (SPOG) vice-president, was reportedly heading to the scene to conduct a drug recognition test on Dave. He then reported the incident to SPOG president Mike Solan.

“I think she (Kandula) went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes threw off the car. But she is dead… (evokes laughter),” Auderer was heard saying.

He went on saying, “No, it’s a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque (laughs)… 11,000 dollars… she was 26 anyway… she had limited value.”

Auderer’s conversation had some errors as well as incorrectly states the victim’s age as 26 while she was 23 at the time of her death.

The officer also mentioned that Dave was “going 50 (miles an hour),” and stressed that the speed was “not out of control” for a trained driver. However, the US media reported that Dave was travelling at 74 miles an hour.

“That’s not reckless for a trained driver,” Auderer could be heard saying in the video. He added that he doesn’t believe “she (Kandula) was thrown 40 feet either.”

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Who was Jaahnvi Kandula?

Jaahnvi Kandula went to the US in September 2020 to pursue a Master’s degree in Information Systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus after graduating in Computer Applications from the Dr Jyothirmayi Degree College in Andhra Pradesh.

Jaahnvi Kandula. (X)

She was a resident of the MIG Colony in Kurnool’s Adoni city and a native of Halvi village in Kowthalam mandal. She is the elder daughter of K Vijayalakshmi and K Srikanth.

Vijayalakshmi was a schoolteacher while her father K Srikanth retired from the police department. Her mother had reportedly taken a financial loan to help Kandula pursue her postgraduation in the US.

Kandula was found suffering from severe injuries and was immediately provided CPR just when the cops arrived at the accident site near Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Streeton on 23 January. She was later moved to Harbourview Medical Center in critical condition where she succumbed to her injuries.

Meanwhile, according to the Seattle police, Dave was on his way to attend a “high priority one” call at the request of the Seattle Fire Department.

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Seattle police launch probe

The Seattle police’s accountability office said they are investigating the matter after releasing the video. It said the video was identified by a department employee who was “concerned about the nature of statements heard on that video” and brought it to the chief’s office.

The matter was referred to the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) to determine “any policy violation that might be implicated”, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) said in a statement.

The SPD released the video “in the interest of transparency” due to public concern.

The SPD also noted, “While any incident of public concern is under OPA, SPD or OIG review, no city employee should comment, either in their official or personal capacity, in a way that suggests that any factual, policy, or legal conclusions have been reached about the incident.”

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which covers the Seattle area, is also conducting a criminal review of the incident.

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Auderer refutes charges

According to a Seattle-based KTTH radio station, Auderer claimed his comments were meant as a mockery of lawyers.

He claimed his superior Solan reportedly “lamented” the death of the 26-year-old victim in the traffic accident.

“During that phone call, Mike Solan stated something to the effect that it was unfortunate that this would turn into lawyers arguing ‘the value of human life. Mike Solan asked me as he was lamenting the loss of life similar to: ‘What crazy argument can a lawyer make in something like this? What crazy thing can they come up with?'” Auderer was quoted saying.

The officer stated that he responded saying, “She’s 26 years old. What value is there? Who cares?’ I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers. I was imitating what a lawyer tasked with negotiating the case would be saying and being sarcastic to express that they shouldn’t be coming up with crazy arguments to minimise the payment,” Auderer said.

“I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and the ridiculousness of how I watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy,” he added.

EXCLUSIVE: The bodycam video backs my report below.

The officer said it would sound really bad without context (he's right). The context of what he was responding to, mocking city lawyers trying to get out of paying the family of a young victim, is important. https://t.co/evRAwJsfNO pic.twitter.com/uNDX0LwqcS

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 11, 2023

Auderer noted that if a citizen was to hear his comments that they would rightfully believe that he was being insensitive to the loss of a human life.

“I also understand that if I heard it (it) could diminish the trust in the Seattle Police Department and make all of our jobs more difficult. With all that being said, the comment was not made with malice or a hard heart. (It was) quite the opposite,” KTTH radio quoted him saying.

The officer has now sought for a “rapid adjudication” — a quick resolution without a lengthy investigation — with OPA and said he would accept any reasonable discipline. But the OPA didn’t appear interested in a quick resolution.

Outrage in India and the US

As soon as the video went viral on social media, it resulted in outrage over the Auderer’s insensitive and inaccurate comments both in the US and in India.

Several people, including Telangana MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao, and American politician Rohit Khanna, took to X and criticised his comments and expressed disappointment.

Deeply disturbed & extremely saddened by the utterly reprehensible and callous comments of a police officer of the SPD

I request the @USAmbIndia to take up the matter with US Government authorities and deliver justice to the family of young Jaahnavi Kandula

I request EA… https://t.co/PpmUtjZHAq

— KTR (@KTRBRS) September 14, 2023

Jaahnavi Kandula came here for graduate work from India. She was killed on a crosswalk by a speeding police car, & Officer Auderer said her life had “limited value.” I thought of my Dad who came here in his 20s. Mr. Auderer, the life of every Indian immigrant has infinite value.

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 14, 2023

The shameful comments made by Seattle Police officers about the death of #JaahnaviKandula from AP are appalling. Calling her a ‘regular person’ with ‘limited value’ is crass and insensitive. I strongly urge EAM @DrSJaishankar ji to raise this issue with the US govt. for strict…

— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) September 14, 2023

This is appalling. I hope to see justice for Jaahnavi Kandula's family and accountability for those involved. https://t.co/Wph1fC0qWI

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) September 13, 2023

The Telugu Association of North America urged the Consulate General of India in San Francisco to ensure a thorough investigation by “local officials from the city of Seattle and state of Washington”

“Justice must be served, and those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable,” TANA president Niranjan Srungavarpu said in a statement.