Officer Kevin Dave was fired after hitting and killing Jaahnavi Kandula with his patrol car while responding to an overdose call. Dave was exceeding the speed limit by 49 mph and was found to have violated department policies. Despite the prosecuting attorney declining to press charges, Dave was fined $5,000 for negligent driving. Kandula's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and Dave.
The Seattle police officer who hit and killed a pedestrian while going 74 mph in a 25 mph zone was fired, interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr said in an email to staff Monday.Officer Kevin Dave was fired nearly two years after hitting Jaahnavi Kandula with his patrol car on Dexter Avenue while responding to an overdose call.
Kandula was thrown more than 100 feet and died of her injuries later that evening.Dave was found to have violated department policies when he struck and killed the 23-year-old college student."As I have done in the past, I want the members of SPD to hear from me directly why I made that decision," said Rahr. "I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and that he was trying to get to a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible. However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving. His positive intent does not mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department."The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reviewed the case and declined to prosecute. It was then referred to the City of Seattle Attorney's Office which charged Dave with second-degree negligent driving. He was given a $5,000 fine for the civil infraction.Following both offices' reviews, the Seattle Office of Police Accountability completed its investigation and found that Dave violated four SPD policies related to emergency vehicle operations and standards and duties.In Sept. 2024, Kandula's family filed a wrongful death, negligence and assault lawsuit against the city of Seattle and Dave.The lawsuit filed by Kandula’s family alleges she "experienced terror, severe emotional distress, and severe pain and suffering before dying." New 2025 laws that are now in effect in WAOrca Tahlequah seen pushing second dead calf in WA waterWA skiers demand action as 'rampant' thefts plague Stevens PassHere's when you'll need REAL ID to go through US airport securityNew restaurants coming to Seattle in 2025To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
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