Chief Adrian Diaz confirmed the name of the officer involved in a pedestrian crash as Kevin Austin Dave. His police cruiser hit and killed a young woman in a crosswalk named Jaahnavi Kandula, 23. The department acknowledged many questions about the tragedy, but they still refused to say how fast the officer was driving.
Officer Kevin A. Dave was hired in November 2019, according to police. It’s unclear whether he is back to work. Police said last week that Dave would take a release day instead of working his next shift. Release days are part of the department’s officer wellness program after traumatic or upsetting events.
Dave was responding to a medical call when his patrol SUV hit and killed the woman in a Seattle crosswalk in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Dave was in a patrol SUV-style vehicle. Detectives from the police department’s traffic collision investigation squad are leading an investigation.
Kandula was a student at the Northeastern University campus in South Lake Union. She was working to earn a master’s in information systems. She was from Adoni, India. Police said last week that Dave would take a release day instead of working his next shift. Release days are part of the department’s officer wellness program after traumatic or upsetting events.
Seattle Police Department spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson said that Kandula’s death is not being investigated as a use of force case. The officer involved has not been placed on leave. “We extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Kandula’s family and friends. This incident is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved,” said Carson.
