The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million (approximately Rs 262 crore) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was killed in 2023 after being struck by a speeding police officer.
The settlement was filed in King County Superior Court last Friday. Local news website PubliCola first reported the agreement.
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Kandula was crossing a street when Officer Kevin Dave, responding to a drug overdose call, hit her.
According to authorities, the officer was driving as fast as 74 mph (119 kph) in a 25-mph (40-kph) zone. His emergency lights were activated, and he had been using his siren at intersections.
King County prosecutors later declined to file felony charges against Dave. They stated they could not prove he deliberately disregarded safety when the collision occurred.
However, the officer was cited for negligent driving, fined $5,000, and subsequently fired by the Seattle Police Department.
City Attorney: “Her Life Mattered”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans 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.”
Approximately $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance.
Outrage After Bodycam Remarks Surface
Kandula’s death triggered public protests and diplomatic concern from India.
The controversy intensified after body camera footage from another officer surfaced. 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.”
The city’s civilian watchdog concluded that the remarks damaged the department’s reputation and eroded public trust.
Auderer, who was also a union leader, was later fired. He has since filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, stating that his comments were intended to criticise how attorneys might respond to the fatal crash.
Academic Background and Ongoing Fallout
At the time of her death, Kandula was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus.
Attorneys representing Kandula’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case drew international attention, with Indian diplomats formally seeking an investigation into the incident.
