The city of Seattle has finalized a $29 million (approximately Rs 262 crore) settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the 23-year-old Indian graduate student who was fatally struck by a police vehicle in January 2023.
The agreement, reached after the family filed a $110 million wrongful death lawsuit in 2024, addresses the negligence claim arising from the incident in South Lake Union. On January 23, 2023, Kandula was crossing a street near Northeastern University’s Seattle campus—where she was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems—when Officer Kevin Dave, responding to a drug overdose emergency, drove his patrol car at up to 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25-mph (40-kph) zone. Although emergency lights were active and the siren sounded at intersections, the high speed contributed to the collision that propelled Kandula more than 100 feet, resulting in her death.
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans issued a statement expressing sorrow over the loss and noting that the financial resolution aims to offer some measure of closure. “Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family,” Evans said. “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community.”
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The settlement notice was filed in King County Superior Court last Friday, with local outlet PubliCola first reporting the development. Representatives for the Kandula family have not yet commented publicly on the agreement.
Prosecutors in King County declined to bring felony charges against Officer Dave, concluding there was insufficient proof of intentional disregard for safety. He received a citation for negligent driving and a $5,000 fine before being terminated from the Seattle Police Department.
The case attracted international attention and prompted protests following the release of body-camera footage in which another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughed while describing Kandula’s life as having “limited value” and suggesting the city should “just write a check.” Indian diplomatic officials called for a full investigation. A civilian oversight review determined that Auderer’s remarks damaged the department’s credibility and public confidence. Auderer, previously a union leader, was also fired and has since sued the city alleging wrongful termination, asserting his comments critiqued potential legal tactics rather than diminishing Kandula’s worth.
Roughly $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance policy.
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