Seattle, WA
Seattle police officer fired for fatally hitting graduate student with car
A Seattle police officer who hit and killed a graduate student from India with his vehicle while responding to an overdose call in January 2023 has been fired, Seattle’s interim police chief announced Monday.
Interim police chief Sue Rahr wrote in an email to employees that she fired Kevin Dave after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability determined he had violated four department policies, including one requiring officers to be responsible for safely operating a patrol vehicle, in connection with the death of Jaahnavi Kandula, according to The Seattle Times.
“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.
2 DEAD AFTER SEARCH FOR SASQUATCH IN WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST
A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is displayed with flowers, Jan. 29, 2023, in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
“However, I cannot accept the tragic consequences of his dangerous driving,” she continued. “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.”
Rahr’s announcement comes nearly a year after King County prosecutors announced they had declined to file felony charges against Dave due to insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave was consciously disregarding safety when he struck and killed Kandula.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office later issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office issued Dave a $5,000 citation for negligent driving. (iStock)
City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. Dave initially contested the ticket before recently agreeing to pay the fine, complete an eight-hour traffic safety course within a year and perform 40 hours of community service by Sept. 30.
Kandula’s death sparked outrage in the U.S. and India, particularly after another officer’s body-worn camera footage was made public. In the recording, that officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed and suggested Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.”
Diplomats from India called for an investigation and Seattle’s civilian watchdog found the comments by Auderer, who was a union leader, damaged the police department’s reputation and undermined public trust.
WASHINGTON STATE TEENS CHARGED AS ADULTS IN GANG-LINKED STABBING OF BOY, 14, WHO WAS TIED TO TREE, CUT OPEN
City prosecutors said Dave was driving as fast as 74 mph on a street with a 25-mph speed limit before hitting Kandula. (Seattle Police Department / File)
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Auderer was eventually fired over the comments.
Kandula’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dave and the city, alleging that Kandula experienced severe emotional distress, pain and suffering before dying from her injuries. The family said it was asking for $110 million in damages, plus $11,000. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in September.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Seattle, WA
Three trapped after car goes into ditch near Seattle’s Washington Park Arboretum
SEATTLE — Firefighters are responding to a car that drove into a ditch near Lake Washington Boulevard East and East Foster Island Road on Friday, according to the Seattle Fire Department.
Crews arriving at the scene reported that three people are trapped inside the car.
Firefighters were working to stabilize the car and get everyone out safely. Crews worked to remove the roof of the car to get everyone out, according to fire officials.
Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while emergency crews respond.
The crash occurred in the area between the Montlake and Broadmoor neighborhoods, and traffic can be expected as emergency crews respond.
No additional information was immediately available.
Seattle, WA
Seattle Kraken fall to Blues 5-1 in 2nd straight loss
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Dylan Holloway had a hat trick and added an assist in his return from a sprained ankle, Joel Hofer made 23 saves and the St. Louis Blues came off the Olympic break to beat the Seattle Kraken 5-1 on Thursday night.
St. Louis Blues 5, Seattle Kraken 1: Box score
Jordan Kyrou and Holloway — activated from injured reserve before the game — scored in a 23-second span early in the second period to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead.
Pius Suter added a goal and two assists to help the Blues end a three-game losing streak.
Holloway completed St. Louis’ first hat trick of the season with 3:01 left, scoring into an empty net for his 11th of the season.
Kaapo Kakko tied it at 1 for Seattle in the first period, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 26 shots. The Kraken were coming off a 4-1 loss in Dallas on Wednesday night.
Kyrou made it 2-1 at 1:12 of the second off a feed from Pavel Buchnevich on a break. Holloway poked the puck past Grubauer off a scramble at 1:35. Suter scored at 1:56 of the third.
St. Louis’ Cam Fowler appeared in his 1,100th game, becoming the 10th active defenseman in the NHL to reach the mark.
Up next
Kraken: Host Vancouver on Saturday night.
Blues: Host New Jersey on Saturday.
Seattle Kraken sign forwards Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton to 2-year extensions
Seattle, WA
Projected Lineup: Feb. 26 vs. Seattle | St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are back in action as they host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at Enterprise Center (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Midwest, 101 ESPN).
It will be the team’s first game since Feb. 4, and Jim Montgomery said the squad is ready to get back to work.
“Yeah, I think everybody is,” the head coach said. “I mean, you can tell. Guys were anxious today, but it’s like ‘enough of practicing against each other, it’s time to play a game.’”
Captain Brayden Schenn, who missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, took the morning skate and is expected to play. Dylan Holloway (ankle), who has played just one game since Dec. 12, will make his return to the lineup as well.
Robert Thomas has taken a leave of absence due to a personal matter. He’s expected to return to the team on Friday.
Additionally Jack Finley will make his Blues debut. Finley – who is the son of former Blue Jeff Finley and was born in St. Louis – was claimed off waivers by the team on Feb. 7.
“It was a dream of mine to play for this team,” Finley said. “It was a big part of my childhood, big part of my family’s life. So definitely full-circle moment and proud to be a Blue.”
Jeff, who played defense for the Blues from 1998-2004, will be in the building Thursday night to see his son don the jersey he wore for so many years.
“He was excited,” Jack said about his dad. “Maybe more excited than me. He loved this organization, loved this city… He’s excited to be back.”
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