A Dreamer’s Journey Jaahnavi Kandula, a young woman from Andhra Pradesh, India, had dreams as big as the sky. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she took a giant leap of faith, leaving her homeland to pursue further education in the United States. With determination and support from her single mother, she secured a spot in a renowned student exchange program in 2021.
Pursuing Her Dreams At just 23 years old, Jaahnavi enrolled at Northeastern University in South Lake Union, Seattle, to pursue a master’s degree in information systems. She was on track to graduate in December of the same year, a testament to her dedication and hard work.
A Tragic End However, Jaahnavi’s promising journey took a devastating turn on January 23, 2023. While she was crossing the street, a police car driven by Officer Kevin Dave struck her at a shocking speed of 74mph, sending her flying 100 feet. She was rushed to Harborview Medical Center but tragically pronounced dead upon arrival.
The Officers Involved The officer behind the wheel, Kevin Dave, was responding to a 911 emergency call related to a drug overdose. Daniel Auderer, a 49-year-old native of Lacey, Washington, and a 20-year police force veteran, was assigned to assess whether Dave was impaired.
The Shocking Response What shocked the community even more was the response captured on camera. Auderer, who also served as the Vice President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, could be heard laughing callously on the phone with the union president, Mike Sloan, saying, “She had limited value.”
Investigating the Incident The insensitive comments made by Auderer sparked outrage, as they raised questions about how law enforcement values human life. The release of body camera footage prompted an immediate investigation into the matter.
Officer Kevin Dave Officer Kevin Dave, 35, a native of Seattle, began his service with the Seattle Police Department in 2020. He was responsible for responding to emergency calls and handling misdemeanors. However, his reckless driving on that fateful day cost Jaahnavi her life.
Daniel Auderer’s Background Daniel Auderer, a senior officer, attended North Thurston High School and served the police force for two decades. His position as the Vice President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild added weight to his actions. Prior to this incident, he had been involved in 29 incidents of misconduct.
The Shocking Transcripts During the call with Mike Sloan, Auderer’s remarks were deeply troubling. He stated, “She is dead,” before laughing and referring to Jaahnavi as “just a regular person.” He callously suggested, “Yeah, just write a check for eleven thousand dollars” and even got her age wrong, saying, “She was 26 anyway…She had limited value.”
Auderer’s Defense A conservative talk radio host, Jason Rantz, claimed that Auderer had provided an official statement to the police department, explaining that his comments were intended as sarcasm, imitating lawyers who might minimize the case’s importance. Auderer stated that the comments were “not made with malice.”
Community Outcry Despite Auderer’s explanation, the community police commission co-chairs disagreed, condemning his behavior as unprofessional and inhumane. Jaahnavi’s uncle, Ashok Mandula, questioned whether the officer’s own children would have value, emphasizing that “a life is a life.”
Conclusion
Jaahnavi Kandula’s tragic death at the hands of a speeding police car has raised serious questions about the conduct and accountability of law enforcement officers. The shocking comments made by Daniel Auderer have ignited public outrage, prompting a thorough investigation into the incident. As the community seeks justice for Jaahnavi, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the value of every human life.
