No Charges for Seattle Cop in Indian Student Jaahnavi Kandula's Fatal Accident
- IndiaGlitz, [Thursday,February 22 2024]
The officer from the Seattle Police Department, Kevin Dave, will not be prosecuted criminally in a case where Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula died because there is not enough evidence.
The King County Prosecutor's Office announced its decision not to charge Officer Dave in a trial, dismissing any filing of criminal charges filed against him. King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg issued a statement on Wednesday expressing deep sorrow for Kandula's death on behalf of the community in King County and beyond.
Officer Dave's police vehicle ran over Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student, as she crossed a street in Seattle on January 23, resulting in her death. Dave was responding to a drug overdose call and was going at a speed of about 120 km/h when the accident occurred.
Upon impact, Kandula flew 100 feet and was pronounced dead on the spot. Officer Daniel Auderer can be seen in the bodycam footage making tasteless comments about the crash, including laughing and stating a criminal investigation was unnecessary.
Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said in a statement that, upon review of the evidence and consultation with senior deputies and office leadership, there is insufficient evidence under Washington State law to prove a criminal case against Officer Dave beyond a reasonable doubt.
It caused a stir in the bodycam footage about Jaahnavi Kandula's death, as well as comments that ensued from Officer Auderer. The video that was released as a result saw the removal of Officer Auderer from his patrol duties, and in September 2022, he was reassigned to a non-operational position.
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