Seattle authorities have agreed to pay $29 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was killed by a speeding police officer in January 2023.
Kandula, who was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was struck on January 23, 2023, while crossing a street in the city’s South Lake Union neighborhood. The officer driving the patrol vehicle, Kevin Dave, was responding to a high-priority overdose call at the time.
According to investigative records, Dave was traveling as fast as 74 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone with his emergency lights activated and his siren intermittently engaged. Dashcam footage showed Kandula stepping into the crosswalk moments before she was hit. The impact threw her more than 100 feet, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The settlement resolves a $110 million lawsuit filed in 2024 against the City of Seattle and Dave, who was fired from the police department last year. Of the $29 million settlement, approximately $20 million is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance, with the remaining amount paid by the city.
In a statement, attorney Erika Evans, who represented Kandula’s family, described her death as “heartbreaking” and said the family hopes the settlement will provide some measure of closure. “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered — to her family, her friends, and to our community,” Evans said.
In February 2024, prosecutors declined to file felony charges against Dave, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove criminal conduct beyond a reasonable doubt. He was later cited for second-degree negligent driving, fined $5,000, and subsequently terminated from the department.
The case drew widespread outrage, particularly after body camera footage surfaced of another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and suggesting Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city should “just write a check.” Auderer was later fired.
Kandula’s death prompted international attention, with Indian officials calling for a thorough investigation. The settlement now formally concludes the civil case stemming from the incident.
