Seattle Police Officer Faces Investigation

In a recent incident that has raised concerns about police conduct, a Seattle police officer is under investigation by the city's accountability office. The investigation stems from a shocking incident captured on body camera footage where Officer Daniel Auderer was heard making insensitive remarks following a fatal collision involving another officer.

Tragic Accident Claims Life of Graduate Student

On the night of January 23, a tragic accident unfolded in Seattle when Officer Kevin Dave struck 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula with his patrol SUV. Kandula, a graduate student, was in a crosswalk at the time. The police department's investigation revealed that Officer Dave was driving at a speed of 74 mph just moments before the collision, as he was responding to an emergency medical call.

Insensitive Remarks Caught on Body Camera

Officer Daniel Auderer, who responded to the scene, was captured on his body camera making insensitive remarks during a phone call inside his cruiser. He was heard saying, "He's going 50 [mph]. That's not out of control. That's not reckless for a trained driver," referring to Officer Dave's speed. Even more disturbingly, Auderer laughed and commented, "But she is dead," later adding, "Yeah, just write a check. Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value," mistakenly stating Kandula's age.

Department Releases Video for Transparency

In response to concerns raised by a department employee about the nature of the statements made in the video, the Seattle Police Department released the footage. The department emphasized its commitment to transparency but refrained from commenting on the video's content until the independent Office of Police Accountability completes its investigation.

Outrage Over Officer's Conduct

Officer Daniel Auderer, who also serves as the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, is facing backlash for his remarks. The Seattle Community Police Commission's co-chairs expressed their dismay, calling the phone call "heartbreaking and shockingly insensitive." They noted that Auderer displayed "unprofessional and inhumane conduct" during what was believed to be a private conversation.

Victim Remembered as Promising Student

Jaahnavi Kandula, the victim in this tragic incident, was a graduate student from India pursuing a master's degree in information systems at Northeastern University's Seattle campus. Her untimely death has left her family and community in grief.

Investigation Ongoing

The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is conducting a criminal review of the incident to determine whether any charges should be filed. Simultaneously, the Office of Police Accountability is conducting its own investigation into the matter.