Seattle Settles $29M with Family of Student Killed by Speeding Officer
The city of Seattle has agreed to a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India. Kandula was tragically killed by a speeding police officer in 2023 while crossing a street.
Officer Kevin Dave, who was responding to a drug overdose call, struck Kandula while driving at speeds up to 74 mph (119 kph) in a zone limited to 25 mph (40 kph). His vehicle’s emergency lights were on, and he used the siren at intersections.
City Attorney Erika Evans expressed condolences, stating, “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.
Despite multiple attempts, attorneys for Kandula’s family did not immediately respond to inquiries. The settlement notice was filed in King County Superior Court last Friday, with PubliCola breaking the news.
The incident sparked public outrage, especially after a body camera recording from another officer captured insensitive remarks suggesting Kandula’s life had “limited value.” The officer, Daniel Auderer, a union leader, was terminated following the incident and has since filed a lawsuit against the city for wrongful termination, claiming his comments were a critique of potential legal responses.
Officer Dave was fired from the police department, faced a $5,000 fine for negligent driving, but was not charged with a felony. King County prosecutors cited insufficient evidence of deliberate disregard for safety.
Approximately $20 million of the settlement is expected to be paid by the city’s insurance.
