Seattle to Pay $29 Million to Family of Woman Fatally Struck by Police S.U.V.
By Sudhir Choudhary
February 13, 2026
AP News
KIRO 7 News Seattle
The American Bazaar
SEATTLE — The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student who was struck and killed by a Seattle Police Department vehicle in January 2023, city officials and legal filings confirmed. The settlement resolves a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by her family after an incident that drew widespread public outrage and international attention.
Tragic Collision and Legal Claim
Jaahnavi Kandula, originally from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus when the fatal collision occurred on January 23, 2023. According to official investigations, Seattle police Officer Kevin Dave was driving his patrol SUV at approximately 74 mph in a 25-mph zone while responding to a drug overdose call when Kandula was struck as she crossed a street in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Kandula was thrown more than 130 feet by the impact and later died at Harborview Medical Center. Her death sparked immediate concern among Seattle’s South Asian community and broader public — particularly after body-worn camera footage later showed another officer making deeply insensitive remarks about her life.
Settlement Details
The $29 million settlement was filed in King County Superior Court and represents one of the largest such agreements in Seattle’s history for a wrongful-death claim involving police conduct. City Attorney Erika Evans stated that the settlement was intended to provide “some sense of closure” to Kandula’s family. “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered,” Evans said in a public statement, emphasizing her value to family, friends, and the community.
Approximately $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by Seattle’s municipal insurance, with the remainder funded directly by the city.
Police Conduct and Aftermath
In the months after the collision, the incident drew sustained criticism not only for the fatality but also for the conduct of Seattle police personnel. Body camera audio from Officer Daniel Auderer, then vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, included remarks suggesting that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and that the city “should just write a check.” Those comments were widely condemned as insensitive and undermining public trust. Auderer was later fired from the department and has since filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination.
Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving the patrol vehicle, was also terminated from the department after internal disciplinary action. King County prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges, stating they could not prove he acted with “criminal intent” or a conscious disregard for safety, though he was cited and fined for negligent driving.
Public and Diplomatic Reaction
The case prompted significant local protests and calls for police reform — particularly from South Asian and student groups in Seattle — who demanded accountability and changes in law enforcement practices. The incident also drew attention from Indian government officials and the broader diaspora, reflecting concerns about the treatment of international students and police accountability in the United States.
Independent police oversight bodies in Seattle concluded that remarks captured on body cameras damaged the reputation of the department and eroded community trust. The city’s civilian oversight commission noted that the conduct of officers reflected broader challenges in law enforcement accountability.
Broader Issues and Legal Context
Civil rights advocates say the settlement highlights ongoing debates over how wrongful deaths involving police actions are handled legally and financially. While monetary settlements do not carry criminal accountability, they serve as one of the principal mechanisms by which cities address claims of negligence or misconduct by law enforcement agencies.
The agreement in Kandula’s case aims to bring partial resolution nearly three years after the tragedy, even as questions about departmental culture and systemic reforms remain part of public discourse in Seattle.
Sources:
Associated Press reporting; KIRO-TV Seattle; American Bazaar Online; NDTV World; King County Superior Court filings.
Tags: Seattle Police Department, Wrongful Death Settlement, Jaahnavi Kandula, Police Accountability, Law Enforcement Reform
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