Seattle Police Officer Terminated After Fatal Incident Involving Indian Student
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Seattle, Jan 7 (NationPress) Almost a year following the tragic death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in a police vehicle incident in Seattle, Officer Kevin Dave has been terminated from the Seattle Police Department.
Kandula, aged 23 and hailing from Andhra Pradesh, lost her life on January 23, 2023, while attempting to cross a street. Officer Dave was driving at a speed of 74 mph (around 119 km/h) in response to a call regarding a drug overdose when his patrol vehicle struck Kandula, propelling her approximately 100 feet.
Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr revealed the decision to dismiss Dave after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that he had breached four departmental policies.
Rahr acknowledged that Dave's actions stemmed from a desire to assist in an emergency but stressed the seriousness of the results.
"I believe the officer did not intend to harm anyone that night and was rushing to help a potential overdose victim. However, I cannot overlook the tragic consequences of his reckless driving. His good intentions do not lessen the poor choices that resulted in the loss of life and discredited the Seattle Police Department," The Seattle Times reported, citing Rahr.
This incident follows the earlier termination of another Seattle officer, Daniel Auderer, due to his insensitive comments and laughter captured on bodycam footage after Kandula's death.
In the footage, Auderer was heard laughing about the incident, describing it in a heartless manner.
He was recorded stating, "Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car...But she is dead," followed by prolonged laughter.
Auderer further remarked, "Yeah, just write a check. Just, yeah. $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value."
In an interview with the Office of Police Accountability, Auderer claimed his comments were intended to ridicule city attorneys who might handle a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
Chief Rahr expressed profound regret over Auderer's actions, stating in an internal email that his remarks caused pain to Kandula's family and tarnished the reputation of the police department.
"The actions of this individual police officer have shamed the Seattle Police Department and our entire profession, complicating the work of every police officer," she remarked.
Despite the severity of the incident, the King County Prosecutor's Office chose not to pursue criminal charges against Officer Dave. Instead, the Seattle City Attorney imposed a $5,000 traffic infraction on him.
The Indian Consulate General in Seattle has been actively engaged in the matter, maintaining consistent contact with Kandula's family and representatives. The Consulate has promised ongoing support to seek justice for Kandula and her family while closely monitoring the case's development.
The tragedy and its consequences have incited widespread outrage, prompting discussions about police accountability and conduct, as well as the respect afforded to human life by those tasked with its protection.
