The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student killed by a police officer in 2023. Officer Kevin Dave struck Kandula while driving at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone, responding to a drug overdose call with emergency lights and siren activated.
City Attorney Erika Evans stated, 'Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family.' Kandula was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus.
The case sparked outrage after a body camera recording captured Officer Daniel Auderer laughing and suggesting Kandula’s life had 'limited value' and the city should 'just write a check.' Auderer, a former union leader, was fired and has sued for wrongful termination, claiming his remarks criticised legal responses. Officer Dave was also fired, cited for negligent driving, and fined $5,000; prosecutors declined to file felony charges.
About $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by the city’s insurance. The notice of settlement was filed in King County Superior Court last Friday.
