Seattle's interim police chief announced on Monday that a police officer has been fired for his involvement in a fatal crash that resulted in the death of a graduate student from India. The officer, Kevin Dave, was responding to an overdose call when the incident occurred in 2023.
Interim police chief Sue Rahr stated that an investigation by the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that Dave had violated four department policies, including failing to safely operate a patrol vehicle. Despite acknowledging that Dave did not intend to harm anyone and was trying to reach the overdose victim quickly, Rahr emphasized that the officer's actions led to tragic consequences that could not be overlooked.
While King County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges against Dave due to insufficient evidence of conscious disregard for safety, the Seattle City Attorney's Office issued him a $5,000 citation for negligent driving. Dave was found to be driving at a speed of 74 mph in a 25-mph zone before the collision that claimed the life of Jaahnavi Kandula.
The aftermath of Kandula's death was marred by controversy when a recording from another officer's body-worn camera revealed insensitive remarks about the victim's life. The officer responsible for the comments, Daniel Auderer, was subsequently fired for damaging the department's reputation and eroding public trust.
Kandula's family has since filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city and Dave, seeking accountability for the tragic loss. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for greater accountability within the Seattle Police Department.
