Prosecutors in Washington state have announced that felony charges will not be filed against a Seattle police officer involved in a fatal collision with a graduate student from India. The incident occurred when Officer Kevin Dave struck 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula while responding to an overdose call on January 23, 2023.
According to a memo from the King County prosecutor's office, Officer Dave was driving at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone with his emergency lights on and siren sounding. Witnesses reported that Kandula may have attempted to run across the intersection upon seeing the approaching police vehicle. It was also noted that Kandula might have been wearing wireless earbuds that could have affected her ability to hear the approaching vehicle.
The memo stated that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Officer Dave was consciously disregarding safety, leading to the decision not to pursue a felony charge of vehicular homicide. However, the possibility of lesser charges, such as negligent driving, remains open.
The case gained attention after a recording from another officer's body-worn camera revealed callous remarks about Kandula's death. The comments, which were deemed derogatory and inhumane, sparked outrage and led to calls for an investigation.
The Office of Police Accountability found that the comments made by Officer Daniel Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, had damaged the department's reputation and undermined public trust. Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz is currently considering disciplinary action against Auderer.
Despite the disturbing nature of the comments, the prosecutor's office emphasized that they did not impact the legal analysis of Officer Dave's actions. The responsibility for investigating and addressing Officer Auderer's remarks falls under the Office of Police Accountability.
Kandula, a graduate student at Northeastern University's Seattle campus, tragically lost her life in the collision, prompting a broader discussion about accountability and professionalism within the Seattle Police Department.
