Seattle/New Delhi
Nearly a year after Indian student Jhanvi Kandula died in a police vehicle crash in Seattle, the officer responsible, Kevin Dave, has been fired from the police department. Kandula, 23, a native of Andhra Pradesh, died while crossing the road on January 23, 2023. Dave was driving at 74 mph (about 119 km/h) when his patrol vehicle hit Kandula, throwing her 100 feet. Dave was driving after receiving a call of a drug overdose.
Interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr announced the decision to fire Dave. The Seattle Police Accountability Office determined that Dave violated four departmental policies. Rahr acknowledged Dave’s intention to help in an emergency, but stressed the seriousness of the consequences.
“I believe the officer did not intend to hurt anyone that night and was just trying to get to a potential overdose victim as quickly as possible,” Rahr was quoted as saying by the Seattle Times. However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving. “His positive intentions do not mitigate the poor judgment that led to the loss of human life and brought disgrace to the Seattle Police Department.”
The development came after another Seattle official, Daniel Orderer, was fired. He was fired for his insensitive comments and laughter, which were captured on bodycam footage after Kandula’s death.
In the video, the orderer is heard laughing about the accident. He was heard saying, “Uh, I think she went over the hood, hit the windshield, and then when she hit the brakes, went flying out of the car…but she’s dead.” After this he kept laughing for a long time. The orderer further commented, “Yes, just write a check. That’s it, $11,000. She was 26 years old anyway. Its value was limited.”
During an interview with the Office of Police Accountability, Orderer claimed his comments were meant to mock city attorneys who might handle a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
Chief Rahr expressed deep regret for Orderer’s behavior and said in an internal email that his words caused pain to Kandula’s family, tarnishing the reputation of the police department. “This police officer’s actions have shamed the Seattle Police Department and our entire profession, making every police officer’s job even more difficult,” he said.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, the King County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against Officer Dave. Instead, the Seattle City Attorney charged him with a $5,000 traffic violation.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle has been actively involved in the case, and has maintained regular contact with Kandula’s family and representatives. The Consulate pledged continued support to ensure justice for Kandula and his family while monitoring the progress of the case.
The tragedy and subsequent events sparked widespread outrage, raising questions about the accountability and conduct of the police as well as the value of human life, which they are tasked with protecting.
