SEATTLE — The city of Seattle has reached a financial settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, more than three years after the 23-year-old graduate student was struck and killed by a Seattle police officer in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
The settlement, announced on , brings a degree of closure to a case that sparked outrage and calls for police reform, both locally and within the Indian diaspora. While the specific financial terms have not been disclosed, the city confirmed the agreement aims to provide some relief to the Kandula family following the tragic loss of their daughter.
“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. “We also recognize that her loss has left unimaginable pain. Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, to her friends, and to our community.”
The incident occurred on , when Officer Kevin Dave, responding to a reported drug overdose, struck Kandula as she crossed Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street in a marked crosswalk. Investigators determined Dave was traveling at 74 mph in a 25 mph zone, and impacted Kandula at 63 mph. Kandula, a graduate student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was preparing to complete her master’s degree in Information Systems in December 2023.
The case gained significant attention after the release of body camera footage showing another officer, Daniel Auderer, laughing and making dismissive remarks about Kandula’s life immediately after the collision. Auderer, the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, was recorded suggesting Kandula had “limited value” and that the city should simply issue a settlement of $11,000. The footage, which surfaced in , prompted widespread condemnation and a formal investigation.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco issued a statement describing the footage as “deeply troubling” and calling for a thorough investigation. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also released a letter of condolence to the Kandula family shortly after the footage became public.
Dave was subsequently fired from the Seattle Police Department in , following a review by then-Interim Chief Sue Rahr. Rahr cited four specific policy violations, including failure to follow department policy, failure to activate emergency lights, failure to modify speed while responding to an emergency call, and unsafe operation of a vehicle. The termination followed a lawsuit filed by the Kandula family seeking more than $110 million in damages, alleging Kandula experienced terror, severe emotional distress, and pain and suffering before her death.
The settlement arrives amid ongoing debate over police accountability and the use of force. Advocacy groups, such as Indian American Community Services (IACS), have used the case to advocate for broader police reforms and greater transparency. Lalita Uppala of IACS emphasized that the firing of Officer Dave was insufficient, calling for clearer guidelines and a systemic overhaul of police practices.
“It’s not fair to say you fire an officer and that takes care of things,” Uppala said. “We were asking for clarity and guidelines.” She added that Kandula’s death sparked national outrage and renewed calls for changes in police policies, describing the settlement announcement as “another day of remembering her, with deep pain and sorrow,” and a “response…that was overdue.”
The case also highlighted the dangers faced by pedestrians in urban environments and the potential consequences of emergency vehicle operations. While officers are granted certain allowances when responding to emergencies, the speed at which Dave was traveling – 74 mph in a 25 mph zone – raised serious questions about the balance between rapid response and public safety.
The settlement is expected to bring a measure of closure to the Kandula family, but the broader implications of the case – concerning police accountability, emergency vehicle protocols, and the value placed on human life – are likely to continue to resonate within Seattle and beyond. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for tragedy when speed and urgency override caution and adherence to established safety procedures.
