Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, Student At Northeastern University Seattle, Killed In Seattle Police Car Accident Near The Intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (January 27, 2023) – A 23-year-old college student identified as Jaahnavi Kandula was killed in a Seattle police car accident by Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street.
King County officials are saying that the collision took place on Monday night. Jaahnavi Kandula was walking when she was hit by a police vehicle responding to a “priority one” call at the request of the Seattle Fire Department.
Priority one calls are the highest priority for the police or fire department and involves a threat to life. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, Jaahnavi Kandula die due to the severity of her injuries. The circumstances leading up to the crash remain unknown at this time.
The victim was pursuing a Masters of Science in Information Systems at Northeastern University Seattle. She recently moved to Seattle from Bengaluru, India in 2021.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time. You can help support the family of the victim through GoFundMe.
Liability For Seattle Police Car Accidents
Accidents involving emergency vehicles are much more common than many realize. According to the National Safety Council, in 2020 alone 180 people were killed in accidents involving emergency vehicles. Pedestrians accounted for 25% of this total. Among other things, pedestrians have a naturally small profile and are more likely to be overlooked by drivers. Of the 180 fatalities, 132 involved police vehicles. There are a number of factors that could contribute to a car accident with a police vehicle.
- The police officer involved in the collision may have been distracted by their on-board computer.
- The police officer may have been speeding.
- The police officer may have failed to check their blind spots before turning.
Depending on the facts of any case, the police department that an officer worked for could be held at fault for a pedestrian collision. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful conduct of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. When a police officer is responding to an emergency call, they will need to use their lights and sirens to alert pedestrians and other drivers of their presence.
Pursuant to RCW 46.61.035, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle responding to an emergency may perform a number of actions that would otherwise be illegal. They can speed and proceed through red lights – so long as these actions do not endanger life or property. They can also drive on the wrong side of the road. However, authorized emergency drivers must slow down when necessary for the safe operation of their vehicle.
As outlined in section (4) of the statute, “The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.” When an authorized emergency driver operates their vehicle with a reckless disregard for the safety of others, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any police vehicle accident.
- Dash cam footage from the officer involved should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Regardless of what any police officer may claim, the physical evidence left behind after any accident will paint a clear picture of what happened. It can also shed light on whether any police officer was negligent in the operation of their vehicle. The family of any person that was killed due to the negligent actions of a Seattle police officer may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and get to the bottom of what caused any particular accident.
Investigating A Seattle Police Car Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There are so many questions that need to be answered. What was this police officer doing before the collision? Were the distracted? Did they have their lights and sirens on?
Do you need more information about a Seattle police car accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that the families of accident victims get the information and support that they are entitled to under the law. We understand how hard it can be to deal with the police who are virtually never transparent about accidents involving their officers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
