A Seattle police officer was let go after accidentally striking and killing a graduate student with their vehicle.
Interim police chief Sue Rahr stated that despite his good intentions, the poor decision made by him resulted in the loss of a human life.
An Indian graduate student was killed by a Seattle police officer who hit him with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023. The officer has since been fired, as announced by Seattle's interim police chief on Monday.
The Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that Kevin Dave violated four department policies, including one requiring officers to safely operate a patrol vehicle, in connection with the death of Jaahnavi Kandula. As a result, interim police chief Sue Rahr fired him, according to The Seattle Times.
Rahr wrote that he believed the officer did not intend to harm anyone that night and was attempting to reach a possible overdose victim as quickly as possible.
"Nevertheless, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving," she stated. "Despite his positive intentions, the poor decision that resulted in the loss of a human life and tarnished the reputation of the Seattle Police Department is unacceptable."
Nearly a year after King County prosecutors declined to file felony charges against Dave due to insufficient evidence, Rahr made an announcement.
A $5,000 citation for negligent driving was issued to Dave by the Seattle City Attorney's Office.
Dave was driving at a speed of 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. He initially contested the ticket but later agreed to pay the fine, complete an eight-hour traffic safety course within a year, and perform 40 hours of community service by Sept. 30.
The release of Daniel Auderer's body-worn camera footage, in which he laughed and suggested Kandula's life had "limited value" and the city should "just write a check," caused outrage in the U.S. and India following Kandula's death.
An investigation was called for by diplomats from India after Seattle's civilian watchdog found that comments by Auderer, a union leader, harmed the police department's reputation and eroded public trust.
Auderer was eventually fired over the comments.
In September, a wrongful-death lawsuit will be heard in court, with Kandula's family seeking $110 million in damages and $11,000 for the emotional distress, pain, and suffering she experienced before her death.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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