SPD officer fined in Jaahnavi Kandula's death fails to pay $5,000
Nearly 100 protest outside SPD precinct over decision not to charge officer in death of Jaahnavi Kandula
Nearly 100 gathered outside the Seattle Police West Precinct to protest a decision by the King County Prosecutor's Office not to file charges against Officer Kevin Dave, who struck and killed 23-year-old grad student Jaahnavi Kandula.
SEATTLE - The Seattle Police officer who hit and killed 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula with a squad car failed to pay the $5,000 traffic fine for doing so.
The Seattle City Attorney's Office confirmed with FOX 13 News on Wednesday that Ofc. Kevin Dave, who faces no criminal charges, failed to pay his $5,000 fine for second-degree negligent driving.
That infraction has now defaulted, with an additional $52 tacked on.
Dave now has until May 29 to pay his ticket before it goes to collections. Further, a delinquent notice from the Seattle Municipal Court warns that Dave could have a hold placed on his vehicle registration or have his license suspended.
Officer Dave was answering a priority call when he sped through red lights, driving 74 mph in a 25 mph zone, when he hit and killed Kandula as she was in a crosswalk. His emergency lights were on, but not his siren. King County Prosecutors previously said Officer Dave was not impaired or driving recklessly at the time of the crash.
The incident came under intense scrutiny after another Seattle Police officer, Daniel Auderer — vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) — and SPOG president Mike Solan were captured on bodycam having a phone call, laughing and joking about Kandula's death.
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King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion announced in a statement she believes they lack the evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt.