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TO seattle police officer who struck and killed an Indian graduate student with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has been fired, Seattle’s acting police chief announced Monday.
Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr wrote in an email to employees that she fired Kevin Dave after Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability determined he had violated four department policies, including one that requires officers to be held accountable for operating surely a patrol car, in connection with the death. by Jaahnavi Kandula, according to The Seattle Times.
“I believe the officer had no intention of hurting anyone that night and was trying to get to a potential overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr wrote.
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A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is shown with flowers, on January 29, 2023, in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
“However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving,” he continued. “His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of human life and discredited the Seattle Police Department.”
Rahr’s announcement comes nearly a year after King County prosecutors announced they had declined to file a request. felony charges against Dave because there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave was knowingly disregarding safety when he struck and killed Kandula.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office subsequently issued Dave a $5,000 fine for careless driving.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 fine for careless driving. (iStock)
City prosecutors said Dave was driving at a speed of 74 mph on a street with a 25 mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. Dave initially contested the fine before recently agreeing to pay the fine, complete an eight-hour traffic safety course within a year, and perform 40 hours of community service by September 30.
Kandula’s death sparked outrage in the United States and India, particularly after another officer’s body camera footage was made public. On the recording, that officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed and suggested that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.”
Indian diplomats called for an investigation and Seattle’s civilian watchdog found that comments by Auderer, who was a union leader, damaged the police department reputation and undermined public trust.
City prosecutors said Dave was driving at a speed of 74 mph on a street with a 25 mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. (Seattle Police Department / Archive)
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Auderer was eventually fired for the comments.
Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dave and the city, alleging that Kandula experienced severe emotional distress, pain and suffering before dying from her injuries. The family said it was seeking $110 million in damages, plus $11,000. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in September.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
