Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, was struck and killed by a speeding Seattle police vehicle in 2023. The city has now agreed to a $29 million settlement with her family.
The city of Seattle will pay $29 million (around ₹260 crore) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian student who was killed by a police vehicle in January 2023.
The settlement comes after her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
What Happened
Jaahnavi Kandula was a graduate student studying information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus.
On January 23, 2023, she was crossing a street when a Seattle police patrol car hit her. The officer, Kevin Dave, was responding to a drug overdose call.
Investigators said the police vehicle was travelling at high speed — reportedly up to 74 mph (119 kmph) — in an area with a much lower speed limit.
Jaahnavi died at the scene.
The $29 Million Settlement
Seattle officials confirmed that the city has agreed to pay $29 million to resolve the lawsuit filed by her family.
According to officials:
- About $20 million will be covered by insurance.
- The remaining amount will be paid by the city.
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans said the settlement recognises the value of Jaahnavi’s life and aims to provide some support to her grieving family.
Officer and Legal Action
Officer Kevin Dave was later fired from the Seattle Police Department. He was cited for negligent driving.
However, prosecutors in King County declined to file felony charges, saying there was not enough evidence to prove criminal intent.
The case also sparked outrage after body camera footage showed another officer making inappropriate remarks about Jaahnavi’s death. That officer was later dismissed and has since challenged his termination in court.
Why the Case Drew Attention
Jaahnavi’s death triggered widespread debate about:
- Police driving standards during emergency responses
- Accountability in traffic-related deaths
- Treatment of victims in official investigations
The incident received attention both in the United States and in India.
Remembering Jaahnavi
Jaahnavi Kandula had travelled to the US to pursue higher education. Friends and family described her as bright, ambitious and full of promise.
The $29 million settlement marks a significant development in the case, though her family continues to mourn her loss.
