SEATTLE — There are renewed calls from protestors to see the Seattle Police Department fire a police officer over the death of Jaahnavi Kandula. She was hit by the officer while crossing the street in January 2023.
An investigation into the deadly crash found Officer Kevin Dave should not face any criminal charges. Instead, the officer got a traffic citation for negligent driving and a little more than a $5,000 fine.
According to court records, Dave and his attorney have filed paperwork to contest the traffic citation. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Sept. 24.
On Monday night, a group of protestors gathered at City Hall Park in Seattle to raise awareness of what they are calling an injustice.
"It was a wrongful death. it was a wrongful death caused by a careless police officer, and this officer has not been held accountable in any way by the city," said Jay Mitchell, a media liaison for the Seattle chapter of National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
On Jan. 23, 2023, 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula was hit and killed by Dave in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.
Dave was responding to an overdose call, driving upwards of 74 miles an hour, when Kandula crossed the street.
Kandula entered a crosswalk and she was seen in dash camera video running in the crosswalk moments before the deadly impact.
Comments about her death from another officer sparked outrage.
Officer Daniel Auderer was seen laughing and making callous comments about Kandula's death. Auderer has since been fired from the police department and has now filed a $20 million lawsuit against the city.
Right now, neither Dave nor Auderer will face criminal charges stemming from Kandula's death.
"We shouldn't have to demand for the city to hold its employees accountable when they hurt people. they should just do it," Mitchell added.
Dave is set to appear in court again Sept. 24.