In a major development, the King County Prosecutor’s Office announced its decision not to pursue criminal charges against Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave in connection with the tragic collision death of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student from Hyderabad earlier last year. The incident occurred on January 2023, when Kandula was struck by Officer Dave’s patrol vehicle while crossing a street in Seattle.
Citing a “lack of sufficient evidence” under Washington State law, the King County Prosecuting Attorney stated that the office had thoroughly reviewed all available evidence but could not establish a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Manion said that Dave’s speed alone was not enough to establish criminal liability, and that he had a legal justification to drive above the speed limit while responding to an emergency call.
Despite the decision, Attorney Leesa Manion expressed deep disappointment, emphasizing the heartbreaking impact of Kandula’s death on communities both locally and globally.
The big picture
It is pertinent to note that Kandula’s tragic demise came as Officer Dave responded to a drug overdose call, driving at speeds exceeding the desired. Reports indicate that Kandula was thrown approximately 100 feet upon impact with the speeding police vehicle.
Meanwhile, during the verdict, the Prosecutor’s Office also took note of a bodycam footage which revealed concerning remarks made by another officer, Daniel Auderer. The Prosecutor’s Office while describing the comment as “appalling and deeply troubling,” said, hey did not influence the decision regarding criminal charges against Officer Dave. Instead, the responsibility for investigating and addressing Officer Auderer’s behavior lies with the Office of Police Accountability.
Family says, ‘Devastated and Outraged’
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Wednesday, following the court’s verdict, Kandula’s family and their attorney said that they were “devastated and outraged” by the prosecutor’s decision, and that they felt “betrayed” by the justice system.
