Written by On January 6, 2025, Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave was terminated following an internal investigation into a fatal collision that occurred on January 23, 2023. The investigation concluded that Dave violated multiple department policies when he struck and killed 23-year-old graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula with his patrol car. At the time of the incident, Dave was responding to an overdose call and was driving 74 mph in a 25 mph zone on Dexter Avenue. Although his emergency lights were activated, he was not using a continuous siren. Kandula was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk when she was hit and thrown approximately 138 feet. She later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
The King County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Dave, citing insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted with criminal negligence. However, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 citation for second-degree negligent driving, which he agreed to pay.
The case drew further attention when body camera footage revealed Officer Daniel Auderer, vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, making callous remarks about Kandula’s death. In the footage, Auderer laughed and suggested that Kandula’s life had “limited value,” implying that the city should “just write a check” for $11,000. Auderer was subsequently fired in July 2024 for his comments.
Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and Dave, alleging that she experienced significant distress before her death.