In the urban landscape of Washington, the Seattle law enforcement officer involved in the tragic incident that claimed the life of Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian student, while responding to an overdose call, will not be subject to criminal charges due to an absence of deemed “sufficient” evidence, as authorities have articulated. The King County Prosecutor’s Office, as reported by FOX13 Seattle on Wednesday, declared their decision to abstain from pursuing criminal charges against Officer Kevin Dave of the Seattle Police.
The official statement released on this matter by the King County Prosecuting Attorney on Wednesday expressed profound sorrow, acknowledging the profound impact of Kandula’s demise on communities both within King County and globally.
The unfortunate incident occurred on January 23, as 23-year-old Kandula was traversing a street in Seattle, only to be struck by Officer Dave’s police vehicle, traveling at a speed of 74 mph (exceeding 119 km/h) while en route to a reported drug overdose. The collision resulted in Kandula being propelled a staggering 100 feet.
Disturbingly, in bodycam footage unveiled by the Seattle Police Department, Officer Daniel Auderer seemingly treated the fatal crash with insensitivity, downplaying any potential culpability on Officer Dave’s part and dismissing the necessity of a criminal inquiry. The Prosecutor, Leesa Manion, emphasized the challenge of establishing a criminal case without sufficient evidence, indicating an inability to meet the threshold of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The official statement further expressed the prosecutor’s condemnation of Officer Auderer’s comments, recorded on his body-worn camera, deeming them “appalling and deeply troubling.” Auderer, not directly involved in the collision, was captured making callous remarks like, “But she is dead” while chuckling over the phone, indicating a lack of professionalism and eroding public trust in law enforcement.
Despite the severity of Auderer’s comments, the Prosecuting Attorney clarified that they don’t alter the legal analysis of Officer Dave’s conduct, emphasizing that the Office of Police Accountability is responsible for investigating and addressing Auderer’s behavior.
Auderer faced consequences with his removal from active patrol duty in September 2023 and reassignment to a non-operational role. Pending a final disciplinary decision, he could potentially face termination or suspension. His disciplinary hearing is scheduled for March 4, as reported by K5 News.
Local media reports highlighted speed as the primary factor in the collision, citing Dave’s excessive speed as inadequate for both Kandula and himself to detect, address, and avoid the hazard presented.
Officer Dave, responding to a “priority one” call from the Seattle Fire Department regarding a reported drug overdose, did not have his siren continuously activated but instead “chirped” it at the intersection. Though his emergency lights were on, there was no continuous siren usage, according to a previous police department statement.
In a memorandum addressed to Seattle police, prosecutors asserted a lack of evidence to demonstrate Dave’s “conscious disregard for others’ safety.” A drug recognition expert found no impairment in the officer at the scene.
Kandula, a graduate student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, posthumously received the university’s commitment to award her degree and present it to her family in January 2023.