Seattle police officer who killed Jaahnavi Kandula with patrol car fired

Catalina Gaitán, The Seattle Times on Jan 6, 2025

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SEATTLE — Interim Seattle police Chief Sue Rahr announced Monday that she has fired Kevin Dave, the officer who killed Jaahnavi Kandula in a South Lake Union crosswalk while speeding in his cruiser in January 2023.

In an email sent to employees, Rahr said she fired Dave on Monday after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found he had violated four department policies.

Those policies included using emergency lights for an emergency response and being responsible for safely operating a patrol vehicle, according to a copy of Rahr’s email provided by the Police Department.

“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,” Rahr wrote.

“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.”

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