Kevin Dave: Outrage as Seattle cop is issued just a traffic citation in fatal hit and run of student

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: A traffic infraction has been issued to the Seattle police officer who struck and killed college student Jaahnavi Kandula while attending to an emergency call.

Officer Kevin Dave will not be charged with a crime, as prosecutors confirmed on Friday, March 1. Locals and some rights groups have taken issue with the decision made by the city attorney.

Kevin Dave guilty of second-degree negligent driving

In January 2023, Dave's police cruiser struck and killed 23-year-old Kandula at a South Lake Union crosswalk while it was en route to an overdose call at 74 mph.

Prosecutors found no evidence that Dave was driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol at the time, so city attorney Ann Davison filed the traffic infraction against him in Seattle Municipal Court.

The 35-year-old police officer is guilty of second-degree negligent driving and could get a fine of up to $5,000. The lawyer has been charged by activists with "reducing" Kandula's death to a "traffic infraction."

Protests were sparked by the case last year after a video of a Seattle police union official laughing while talking about Kandula's death at the scene appeared.

According to Daily Mail, 234,408 people have signed a petition calling for the officer to face manslaughter charges in the state of Washington.

Kevin Dave gave CPR until emergency personnel arrived

On January 23, 2023, the college student was crossing Thomas Street near campus at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North. A day later, she passed away in the hospital.

There were reports of a pedestrian being struck, and Dave could be heard requesting backup over radio dispatch.

He was observed giving the young lady CPR until several additional emergency personnel could reach the location. Days later, the officer returned to work after the police declared the incident to be an accident.

Publicola was the first to publish the bodycam video. The news source claims that the King County Prosecutor's Office is still debating whether to file criminal charges against Dave.

Bike lanes and a broad median surround the crosswalks at the intersection, which are prominently marked by bright yellow reflective indicators and a large neon sign.

"Lights were on," the officer was heard saying to a responding officer on the bodycam. "I was chirping the sirens...she was in the crosswalk."

He went on to say, "She saw me, she started running through the crosswalk. Slammed on my breaks. Started staying back where she should before crossing."

The officer was seen on camera racing through red lights and only slightly slowing down before striking the young woman. Dave was en route to a police department priority-one call, which is the call with the highest priority.

The call concerned a man who had overdosed on drugs and did not require medical attention. The officer's patrol car was also heard to occasionally sound its sirens, as seen in the video recording. 

Internet demands 'manslaughter' charges against Kevin Dave

An X user posted on the platform demanding "manslaughter" charges for the officer, "Should have been charged as manslaughter. No sirens but going 3x speed the limit. Is this the training they receive in the academy?"

Another user added, "Shameful and inhumane behaviour at loss of life by the @SeattlePD. Value of human life 11 K and making joke about it. Even they don’t show remorse for loss of life as if Jaahnavi was criminal."

The third commentator added, "This is beyond disgusting. Such a shame on the entire department @SeattlePD @India_NHRC @nhrcus you guys need to respond and take action on this ASAP."

"This is no more an accident, the officer laughting at loss of life should be the one chrged for murder," another person demanded for murder charges.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.