Seattle Police Officer Faces Backlash for Mocking Death of Woman Hit by Colleague
A recent incident involving a Seattle police officer has sparked outrage as bodycam footage shows the officer laughing at and making fun of the death of a young woman who was struck and killed by a fellow cop. The officer in question is identified as Daniel Auderer, the Vice President of the Seattle Police Guild. In the two-minute-long video, Auderer can be heard devaluing the life of the 23-year-old grad student, suggesting that the city should simply write a check.
The video captures Auderer driving around the city streets in his police cruiser while discussing the fatal accident involving Jaahnavi Kandula over the phone with an unidentified individual. Just one day after the crash, Auderer callously states, She is dead. No, it’s a regular person, before erupting in laughter. In a cruel and heartless remark, he goes on to say, Yeah, just write a check. $11,000. She was 26 anyway. She had limited value.
Auderer also mentions that he doubts a criminal investigation will take place, asserting that the officer involved was not driving recklessly considering he was going 50 miles per hour. However, reports indicate that officer Kevin Dave, who hit Kandula, was actually driving at a staggering 74 mph in a 25 mph zone while responding to a high-priority call. Despite Auderer’s claim that Dave had been using his lights and sirens, it is revealed that he was only using them sporadically when the accident occurred.
The Seattle Police Department uploaded the video of Auderer’s heartless conversation to their YouTube page in a bid for transparency. However, the department has refrained from commenting on the matter until the Office of Police Accountability concludes its investigation.
This incident has drawn attention to the ongoing concerns surrounding the culture within the Seattle Police Department. The civilian-led Community Police Commission has taken aim at the department’s resistance to officer accountability measures, citing the landmark 2017 Police Accountability Ordinance. They argue that incidents like these erode trust between the police and the community.
New York Post reports that footage from officer Dave’s bodycam captures him admitting his mistake after speeding through an intersection with a 25 mph speed limit. Moments later, Dave can be seen slowing down before tragically hitting and killing Kandula. Despite his efforts to administer CPR, Kandula, a master’s student at Northeastern University, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. She was a promising student due to graduate in December.
As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for the Seattle Police Department to address the concerns raised by the community. Ensuring officer accountability and fostering trust should be at the core of their responsibilities. The tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula serves as a stark reminder of the need for reform within law enforcement agencies.
