Seattle reaches $29 million settlement with family of grad student from India struck, killed by officer

The metropolis of Seattle has reached a $29 cardinal colony with the household of a 23-year-old postgraduate pupil from India who was struck by a speeding constabulary serviceman arsenic she crossed a thoroughfare successful 2023.

Jaahnavi Kandula was deed by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving arsenic accelerated arsenic 119 kph successful a 40-kph portion arsenic helium responded to a cause overdose call. He had his exigency lights connected and had been utilizing his siren astatine intersections.

“Jaahnavi Kandula's decease was heartbreaking, and the metropolis hopes this fiscal colony brings immoderate consciousness of closure to the Kandula family,” City Attorney Erika Evans said successful a connection connected Wednesday (February 12, 2026).

“Jaahnavi Kandula's beingness mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community.” Kandula had been moving toward a master's grade successful accusation systems astatine the Seattle field of Northeastern University.

Attorneys for Kandula's household did not instantly respond to emails oregon telephone calls seeking comment.

The parties filed a announcement of colony successful King County Superior Court past Friday. The section quality website PubliCola archetypal reported astir the agreement.

Kandula's decease ignited outrage and demonstrations, peculiarly aft a signaling from different officer's assemblage camera surfaced successful which the serviceman laughed and suggested Kandula's beingness had “limited value” and the metropolis should “just constitute a check.”

Diplomats from India sought an investigation. The city's civilian watchdog recovered the comments by Officer Daniel Auderer, who was a national leader, damaged the department's estimation and undermined nationalist trust.

Mr. Auderer was aboriginal fired and has sued the metropolis for wrongful termination. He said his remarks were intended to criticise however attorneys were apt to respond to the death.

The constabulary section besides fired the driving officer, who was cited for negligent driving and ordered to wage a USD 5,000 fine. King County prosecutors declined to record felony charges against him, saying they could not beryllium helium was deliberately disregarding information erstwhile helium struck Kandula.

About $20 cardinal of the colony is expected to beryllium covered by the city's insurance.