The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million to settle a lawsuit brought by the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was killed after being struck by a speeding police officer in 2023.
Kandula, who was studying for a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was crossing a street when she was hit by Officer Kevin Dave. Authorities said Dave was responding to a drug overdose call and was driving at speeds reaching 74 mph in a 25-mph zone. His emergency lights were activated, and he reportedly used his siren at intersections.
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans acknowledged the tragedy in a public statement, calling Kandula’s death heartbreaking and expressing hope that the settlement would offer her loved ones some sense of closure. Evans emphasized that Kandula’s life had value to her family, friends, and the broader community.
The settlement was filed in King County Superior Court, with a formal notice submitted last week. While attorneys representing Kandula’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the agreement was first reported publicly by the local news outlet PubliCola.
Kandula’s death sparked widespread outrage, both in Seattle and internationally, particularly after body camera footage from another officer surfaced. In the recording, Officer Daniel Auderer, who at the time was also a police union leader, was heard laughing while discussing Kandula’s death and suggesting her life had “limited value,” adding that the city should “just write a check.” The remarks drew sharp criticism and led to protests, with many accusing the department of showing a disturbing lack of accountability and compassion.
The incident also drew attention from Indian officials, who called for a full investigation. Seattle’s civilian police watchdog later concluded that Auderer’s comments had severely damaged public trust and harmed the department’s reputation. Auderer was fired from the Seattle Police Department and has since filed a wrongful termination lawsuit, arguing that his statements were taken out of context. He claimed his remarks were meant as criticism of how attorneys might handle the case.
The officer behind the wheel, Kevin Dave, was also dismissed from the department. He was cited for negligent driving and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. However, King County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges, saying they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Dave had intentionally disregarded public safety.
The settlement represents one of the largest payouts in Seattle’s history involving a police-related death. City officials said roughly $20 million of the total amount is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance.
The case continues to be viewed as a flashpoint in Seattle’s ongoing debate over police accountability, officer conduct, and public safety. For Kandula’s family, the settlement may bring a financial resolution, but it cannot undo the loss of a young woman who came to the United States to build a future and instead died in a moment that many believe never should have happened.
