The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million (around Rs 262 crore) to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of a 23-year-old Indian student who was killed in a police vehicle crash in 2023. Jaahnavi Kandula was hit by Officer Kevin Dave while she was crossing a street. According to investigators, the officer was driving at 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25-mph (40-kph) zone as he responded to a drug overdose call. He had switched on his emergency lights and was using his siren at intersections.
Announcing the settlement, City Attorney Erika Evans on Wednesday said, “Jaahnavi Kandula's death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family. Jaahnavi Kandula's life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community.”
Kandula was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus at the time of her death.
Also Read:Who Is Kevin Dave, Seattle Police Officer Who Fatally Hit Indian Student Jaahnavi Kandula?
The settlement notice was filed in King County Superior Court last Friday. Local news website PubliCola first reported the agreement. Lawyers for Kandula’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Her death led to public anger and protests, especially after body camera footage from another officer became public. In the recording, Officer Daniel Auderer was heard laughing and suggesting Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.”
Following the controversy, diplomats from India sought an investigation. The city’s civilian watchdog agency later said Auderer’s remarks harmed the police department’s reputation and reduced public trust. Auderer, who was also a police union leader, was fired. He has since sued the city for wrongful termination, saying his comments were meant to criticise how lawyers might respond to the case.
Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving the vehicle, was also fired. He was cited for negligent driving and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. However, King County prosecutors decided not to file felony charges, stating they could not prove he had deliberately ignored safety when he struck Kandula.
Of the total settlement amount, about $20 million is expected to be paid through the city’s insurance coverage.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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