The city of Seattle has finalised a substantial $29 million legal settlement with the grieving family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was tragically struck and killed by a speeding police officer in 2023. This resolution follows intense public scrutiny and diplomatic pressure after the incident.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Jaahnavi Kandula was crossing a street when she was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was responding to a drug overdose call. Official reports indicate Dave was driving at speeds up to 74 miles per hour in a zone with a 25 mph limit. While his emergency lights were activated and he had used his siren at intersections, the excessive speed proved catastrophic.
City's Official Statement and Community Impact
"Jaahnavi Kandula's death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family," stated City Attorney Erika Evans. She emphasised that "Jaahnavi Kandula's life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community." Kandula had been pursuing a master's degree in information systems at Northeastern University's Seattle campus, with a promising future ahead.
Legal Proceedings and Public Outrage
The settlement notice was formally filed in King County Superior Court last Friday, with initial reporting by local news outlet PubliCola. Attorneys representing the Kandula family have not provided immediate comment on the agreement.
Public anger escalated dramatically when a body camera recording surfaced featuring Officer Daniel Auderer, a police union leader, laughing and suggesting Kandula had "limited value" and the city should "just write a check." This revelation sparked widespread demonstrations and condemnation.
Investigations and Personnel Consequences
The city's civilian oversight board determined Auderer's comments severely damaged police department credibility and eroded public trust. Auderer was subsequently terminated and has since filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city, claiming his remarks were meant to critique anticipated legal responses to the tragedy.
Officer Kevin Dave, the driver, was also fired from the police force. He received a citation for negligent driving and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. King County prosecutors decided against pursuing felony charges, concluding they could not prove deliberate safety disregard at the moment of impact.
Financial and Diplomatic Dimensions
Approximately $20 million of the historic settlement is expected to be covered by the city's insurance policies. The case attracted international attention, with diplomats from India formally requesting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kandula's death.
This settlement represents one of the largest in Seattle's history related to police conduct, highlighting ongoing concerns about officer accountability, emergency response protocols, and community relations in law enforcement operations.
