Seattle police officer fired for fatally hitting graduate student with car

AND Seattle police officer who struck and killed an Indian student with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has been fired, Seattle’s interim 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 found he violated four department rules, including one that requires officers to be responsible for the safe operation of a patrol vehicle, regarding with the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, according to The Seattle Times.

“I believe the officer had no intention of harming anyone that night and was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr wrote.

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A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is displayed with flowers, Jan. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)

“However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving,” she continued. “His positive intent does not diminish the poor decision that caused the loss of 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 motion criminal acts against Dave due to insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave knowingly disregarded safety when he struck and killed Kandula.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office later issued Dave a $5,000 ticket for careless driving.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 ticket for careless driving. (iStock)

City prosecutors said Dave was driving 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 road safety course within a year and complete 40 hours of community service by September 30.

Kandula’s death sparked outrage in the US and India, particularly after body camera footage of another officer was released. In the video, that officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed and suggested that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.”

Diplomats from India called for an investigation, and Seattle’s civilian watchdog found that comments by Auderer, who was a union leader, had harmed of the police department reputation and undermined public trust.

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City prosecutors said Dave was driving 74 mph on a street with a 25 mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. (Seattle Police / File)

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Auderer was eventually fired for the comments.

Kandula’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dave and the city, alleging that Kandula experienced severe emotional distress, pain and suffering before she died from her injuries. The family said it is seeking $110 million in damages, plus $11,000. The trial in the lawsuit is scheduled for September.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.