The Seattle police officer involved in the fatal collision with Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, as he responded to an overdose call, will not be charged with any criminal offence due to insufficient evidence, according to authorities.
On Wednesday, the King County Prosecutor's Office announced their decision not to pursue criminal charges against Officer Kevin Dave of the Seattle Police, as reported by FOX13 Seattle. The Prosecutor's statement expressed the profound impact of Kandula's tragic death on communities locally and globally.
Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, was struck by Officer Dave's police vehicle while crossing a street in Seattle on January 23. The officer was travelling at a speed of 74 mph on his way to a drug overdose call, and Kandula was thrown 100 feet upon impact.
Bodycam footage from the Seattle Police Department revealed Officer Daniel Auderer making insensitive comments and dismissing the need for a criminal investigation into Officer Dave's actions. Despite the troubling remarks, the Prosecutor's Office stated that they lacked sufficient evidence under Washington State law to pursue criminal charges against Officer Dave.
The statement also condemned Officer Auderer's comments as "appalling and deeply troubling," emphasizing that the legal analysis of Officer Dave's conduct remains separate from the disciplinary investigation into Auderer's remarks. Auderer has been reassigned to a non-operational position and faces potential termination after his disciplinary hearing scheduled for March 4.
Reports indicate that speed was a contributing factor in the collision, with Officer Dave responding to a "priority one" call without continuously activating his siren. The lack of evidence demonstrating a "conscious disregard for others' safety" led to the decision not to pursue charges against Officer Dave.
The University announced in January 2023 that Kandula, a graduate student at Northeastern University's Seattle campus, would receive her degree posthumously. The tragedy has prompted reflection on both the conduct of law enforcement officers and the need for accountability in the pursuit of justice.
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