Family of Indian student fatally hit by US police officer gets Rs 265 cr settlement
THE city of Seattle has agreed to pay Rs 265 crore ($29 million) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was fatally struck by a speeding police vehicle in 2023, bringing partial closure to a case that sparked international outrage.
Kandula was hit by Officer Kevin Dave while crossing a street in Seattle. Authorities said Dave was driving at speeds of up to 119 kph in a 40-kph zone as he responded to a drug overdose call.
The officer had the car’s emergency lights activated and was using the siren at intersections at the time of the crash. Kandula, who was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, died from her injuries.
“Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family," City Attorney Erika Evans said in a statement on Wednesday.
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“Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community."
The settlement notice was filed in King County Superior Court last week, with approximately $20 million expected to be covered by the city’s insurance. Attorneys representing Kandula’s family did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The case drew widespread protests after body camera footage surfaced showing another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and suggesting Kandula’s life had “limited value" and that the city should “just write a check."
The remarks triggered diplomatic concern from India and prompted an internal investigation. Seattle’s civilian oversight body found that Auderer’s comments damaged the department’s reputation and eroded public trust.
He was subsequently fired and has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination, claiming his remarks were intended as criticism of how legal authorities might respond to the case.
Officer Kevin Dave was also dismissed from the department. He was cited for negligent driving and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. However, King County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges, stating they could not establish that he had deliberately disregarded safety when the collision occurred.
