Our Bureau
Seattle, WA
A Seattle police officer named Kevin Dave, who fatally struck Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in January 2023, has been fired for dangerous driving. Dave was driving at 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25 mph (40 kph) zone when he hit Kandula, who was crossing the street. Kandula, 23, was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle.
Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr fired Dave after he violated four department policies, according to a report in The Seattle Times.
Dave failed to follow policies such as using emergency lights and operating a patrol vehicle safely, according to Rahr’s email.
“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,” said Rahr.
“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,” according to the Seattle Times report.
This incident sparked outrage, especially after another officer, Daniel Auderer, was caught on body cam making insensitive remarks about Kandula’s death. Auderer’s comments, suggesting that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a cheque,” caused outrage and international attention. Auderer was fired in July 2024.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle collaborated with authorities and law enforcement to ensure justice in the case of Auderer’s firing and action against Dave for the tragic loss of life of Jaahnavi Kandula. Kandula was from Andhra Pradesh, pursuing a master’s degree from the Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union.
