Police Officer Fired for Indian Student Jahnavi Kandula’s Death

In January 2023, Indian student Jahnavi Kandula tragically lost her life in Seattle, USA, after being struck by a speeding patrol vehicle driven by police officer Kevin Dave. The officer has now been terminated from his position following the incident.

On the day of the accident, Kevin was driving at a speed of 119 km/h (74 mph) while responding to a call involving a drug-related incident. During this, his vehicle hit Jahnavi, who was crossing the road, propelling her 100 meters away, resulting in her death.

Although the collision was not intentional, Kevin faced widespread criticism for reckless driving at excessive speeds. Following strong calls for a thorough investigation by the Indian government, King County conducted a detailed inquiry into the matter. Kevin was previously fined $5,000 for negligent driving.

The decision to dismiss Kevin underscores the importance of accountability and the need for responsible conduct by law enforcement officers.