Findings in Seattle Case
Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office shared its decision in the case involving Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving the police patrol vehicle that caused the January 2023 death of Jaahnavi Kandula.
In October of 2023, the PAO hired a collision reconstruction firm, ACES, Inc, (Aces), to review all material in the case involving Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving the police patrol vehicle that caused the January 2023 death of Jaahnavi Kandula.
In January of 2024, Aces completed their report. Our Felony Traffic Unit has reviewed the Aces’ report, along with all available evidence. Based on all the available evidence presented and Aces’ independent analysis of the collision, our legal analysis reveals that the PAO lacks sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Officer Kevin Dave was impaired by drugs or alcohol, driving in a reckless manner, or driving with disregard for the safety of others (see RCW 46.61.522). As a result, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has concluded (based on the law and all available and admissible evidence) that we cannot file criminal charges in this matter.
Earlier today a copy of the facts, legal analysis, and Aces was made public via public disclosure request. A link to download those documents is available HERE.
As part of today’s announcement, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion shared the following statement:
Ms. Kandula’s death is heartbreaking and impacted communities in King County and across the world.
It is the responsibility of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO) to review all available evidence relating to the case involving Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave and the January 2023 collision death of Jaahnavi Kandula. After staffing this case with senior deputy prosecuting attorneys and office leadership, I have determined that we lack sufficient evidence under Washington State law to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The PAO finds the comments made by Seattle Police Officer Daniel Auderer, and recorded on his body-worn video, appalling and deeply troubling. Officer Auderer’s comments were also unprofessional and served to undermine the public’s trust in the Seattle Police Department and law enforcement in general. As egregious as Officer Auderer’s comments are, they do not change the PAO’s legal analysis into the conduct of Officer Dave. It is the Office of Police Accountability that bears the responsibility of disciplinary investigation and proceedings relating to Officer Auderer’s comment, not the PAO.
