Seattle (Rajeev Sharma): Nearly three years after a tragic road accident claimed the life of Indian graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula, the City of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million to her family in a legal settlement.
Kandula, 23, was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus when she was struck by a police patrol vehicle in January 2023. The officer driving the car, Kevin Dave, was en route to attend to a reported drug overdose and was travelling at a speed of up to 119 km/h in an area where the limit was 40 km/h. Authorities said the vehicle’s emergency lights were activated and the siren had been used at intersections.
City Attorney Erika Evans described the agreement as an attempt to bring some closure to the grieving family. In a public statement, she acknowledged the profound loss suffered by Kandula’s loved ones and said the city recognises the impact of her death on the broader community.
Court records show that the settlement notice was filed in King County Superior Court last week. Officials indicated that approximately $20 million of the compensation will be covered by municipal insurance, with the remaining amount paid by the city.
The case sparked widespread public outrage, intensified by the release of body camera footage in which another officer, Daniel Auderer, made remarks that appeared to belittle Kandula’s death. In the recording, he was heard laughing and suggesting that her life had minimal value while implying that the matter could be resolved financially. The comments led to protests and condemnation from community leaders and international observers.
An internal civilian review concluded that Auderer’s statements damaged public trust in the police department. He was dismissed from his position and has since challenged the termination in court, arguing that his comments were sarcastic and taken out of context.
Officer Dave was also fired and cited for negligent driving. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. However, prosecutors in King County declined to pursue criminal charges, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove intentional or criminal recklessness.
The incident drew attention beyond US borders, with Indian officials urging a transparent investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
While the financial settlement concludes the civil dispute, the episode has left a lasting mark on Seattle’s law enforcement community and renewed discussions about emergency response practices and accountability. For Kandula’s family, the agreement represents a formal acknowledgment of their loss, though it cannot undo the tragedy.
