The City of Seattle has agreed to a $29 million legal settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student who was fatally struck by a speeding police vehicle in 2023. The resolution comes after months of investigation and public outcry over the circumstances surrounding her death.
Officer Kevin Dave was responding to a drug overdose call when his patrol car traveling at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone struck Kandula as she crossed a street in a marked crosswalk. While the officer had activated emergency lights and used his siren at intersections, the excessive speed proved catastrophic.
The case gained international attention when body camera footage revealed police union representative Daniel Auderer making insensitive remarks about Kandula’s death, suggesting her life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.” These comments prompted formal diplomatic inquiries from Indian officials and widespread community protests.
Both officers involved have since been terminated from the Seattle Police Department. Auderer has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit claiming his comments were misinterpreted as criticism of legal proceedings rather than disregard for human life. Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against Dave, citing insufficient evidence of deliberate safety disregard.
City Attorney Erika Evans acknowledged the profound impact of Kandula’s death, stating: “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community.” Approximately $20 million of the settlement will be covered by the city’s insurance policy.
Kandula was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus at the time of her death. The settlement notice was formally filed in King County Superior Court last Friday.