SEATTLE — The Seattle police officer who fatally struck a woman while responding to a call last year admitted to negligent driving and will pay a fine.
Officer Kevin Dave hit 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula while she was walking in a crosswalk January 23, 2023. On Wednesday, Dave admitted to second-degree negligent driving and, in exchange, will pay a penalty of $5,000 and will have one year to complete an eight-hour traffic safety course.
If Dave completes those orders, he will not pay further fines and can keep his driver's license.
Kandula was hit and killed by Dave in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood while crossing the street. Dave was responding to an overdose call and driving upwards of 74 miles an hour when he hit Kandula, according to investigators. She entered a crosswalk and was seen in dash camera video running in the crosswalk moments before the deadly impact.
An investigation into the deadly collision found officer Dave should not face criminal charges.
In September, Kandula's family filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle, alleging Dave was "negligently hired" and "negligently retained." The family is suing for $110,011,000, alleging the city is liable for Dave's actions. The lawsuit has not gone to trial yet.
The lawsuit alleges Dave was "speeding to what he knew to be a non-emergent 911 call." It also alleges he didn't activate his siren until approximately one second before striking Kandula and he failed to brake until just before hitting her.
The lawsuit also alleges that the intersection where the collision occurred—Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street — had limited pedestrian visibility due to concrete jersey barriers.
KING 5's Kipp Robertson contributed to this report.