Seattle, WA (February 22, 2024) - The King County Prosecutor's Office announced today that Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave will not face criminal charges for the January 2023 collision that resulted in the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula. The decision, based on insufficient evidence to meet the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, has generated controversy and calls for further investigation.
Details of the Incident:
- Kandula, 23, was struck by Officer Dave's vehicle while crossing a street on January 23rd, 2023.
- Officer Dave was responding to an overdose call at the time and exceeding the speed limit.
- The King County Prosecutor's Office, after a thorough review, determined that available evidence is insufficient to support criminal charges against Officer Dave.
Bodycam Footage Concerns:
- Bodycam footage released by the Seattle Police Department captured comments made by another officer, Daniel Auderer, regarding the incident.
- The comments, deemed "appalling and deeply troubling" by the Prosecutor's Office, expressed insensitive and unprofessional remarks about Kandula.
- Officer Auderer is not involved in the collision investigation but faces separate disciplinary proceedings for his conduct.
Community Response and Next Steps:
- The decision not to charge Officer Dave has been met with mixed reactions, with some expressing frustration and demanding further investigation.
- The Office of Police Accountability (OPA) is conducting a separate investigation into Officer Auderer's comments and potential disciplinary action.
- Civil lawsuits by the Kandula family remain a possibility.
