The US city of Seattle has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Jaahnavi Kandula for $29 million (over Rs 260 crore), bringing partial closure to a case that sparked outrage in both India and the United States. Reported by NDTV.
The 23-year-old Indian graduate student died in 2023 after being struck by a speeding Seattle Police Department SUV.
January 23, 2023: The Fatal Crash
Jaahnavi Kandula, who was pursuing her master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was crossing a street in South Lake Union when she was hit by a police patrol vehicle.
Officer Kevin Dave was driving at 119 kmph in a 40 kmph zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown more than 100 feet by the impact and later succumbed to multiple blunt-force injuries at Harbourview Medical Centre.
Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Kandula had moved to the US from Bengaluru in 2021 under a student exchange programme. She was expected to graduate later that year.
Bodycam Footage and Controversial Remarks
The case intensified after bodycam footage surfaced involving Officer Daniel Auderer, who responded to the scene. During a recorded phone conversation, he was heard laughing while discussing the crash.
“But she is dead,” the officer is heard saying before laughing. “No, it's a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque,” he said, before laughing again. “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
In another clip released later, Auderer said, “Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car... But she is dead.” According to the department’s Disciplinary Action Report, Auderer “laughed hard for four seconds.”
Reacting to the remarks, Kandula’s grandfather told NDTV, “How can anyone speak like that after a tragic accident?”
Auderer later claimed his comments were taken out of context, stating that he was “ridiculing the city attorneys who would be tasked with litigating a potential wrongful death lawsuit.”
Administrative Action and Lawsuit
Amid public backlash, Auderer was reassigned to a non-operational role. The Seattle Community Police Commission had recommended that he be relieved of duty and that his pay be withheld.
Kandula’s parents subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit in King County Superior Court, alleging police negligence and seeking accountability.
No Criminal Charges, Departmental Action
In February 2024, prosecutors announced that criminal charges would not be filed against Kevin Dave, citing insufficient evidence and stating he did not demonstrate a “conscious disregard for others' safety.” He was later issued a $5,000 traffic infraction by the Seattle City Attorney.
In January 2025, Dave was fired after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that he had violated four department policies.
Daniel Auderer was also dismissed months earlier following disciplinary proceedings related to his remarks.
The Rs 260 Crore Settlement
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans confirmed the $29 million settlement, describing the incident as a profound loss.
“Jaahnavi Kandula's death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family.”
“Jaahnavi Kandula's life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community,” she said.
The US city of Seattle has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Jaahnavi Kandula for $29 million (over Rs 260 crore), bringing partial closure to a case that sparked outrage in both India and the United States.
The 23-year-old Indian graduate student died in 2023 after being struck by a speeding Seattle Police Department SUV.
January 23, 2023: The Fatal Crash
Jaahnavi Kandula, who was pursuing her master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was crossing a street in South Lake Union when she was hit by a police patrol vehicle.
Officer Kevin Dave was driving at 119 kmph in a 40 kmph zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown more than 100 feet by the impact and later succumbed to multiple blunt-force injuries at Harbourview Medical Centre.
Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Kandula had moved to the US from Bengaluru in 2021 under a student exchange programme. She was expected to graduate later that year.
Bodycam Footage and Controversial Remarks
The case intensified after bodycam footage surfaced involving Officer Daniel Auderer, who responded to the scene. During a recorded phone conversation, he was heard laughing while discussing the crash.
“But she is dead,” the officer is heard saying before laughing. “No, it's a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque,” he said, before laughing again. “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
In another clip released later, Auderer said, “Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car... But she is dead.” According to the department’s Disciplinary Action Report, Auderer “laughed hard for four seconds.”
Reacting to the remarks, Kandula’s grandfather told NDTV, “How can anyone speak like that after a tragic accident?”
Auderer later claimed his comments were taken out of context, stating that he was “ridiculing the city attorneys who would be tasked with litigating a potential wrongful death lawsuit.”
Administrative Action and Lawsuit
Amid public backlash, Auderer was reassigned to a non-operational role. The Seattle Community Police Commission had recommended that he be relieved of duty and that his pay be withheld.
Kandula’s parents subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit in King County Superior Court, alleging police negligence and seeking accountability.
No Criminal Charges, Departmental Action
In February 2024, prosecutors announced that criminal charges would not be filed against Kevin Dave, citing insufficient evidence and stating he did not demonstrate a “conscious disregard for others' safety.” He was later issued a $5,000 traffic infraction by the Seattle City Attorney.
In January 2025, Dave was fired after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that he had violated four department policies.
Daniel Auderer was also dismissed months earlier following disciplinary proceedings related to his remarks.
The Rs 260 Crore Settlement
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans confirmed the $29 million settlement, describing the incident as a profound loss.
“Jaahnavi Kandula's death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family.”
“Jaahnavi Kandula's life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community,” she said.
The US city of Seattle has agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Jaahnavi Kandula for $29 million (over Rs 260 crore), bringing partial closure to a case that sparked outrage in both India and the United States.
The 23-year-old Indian graduate student died in 2023 after being struck by a speeding Seattle Police Department SUV.
January 23, 2023: The Fatal Crash
Jaahnavi Kandula, who was pursuing her master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was crossing a street in South Lake Union when she was hit by a police patrol vehicle.
Officer Kevin Dave was driving at 119 kmph in a 40 kmph zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Kandula was thrown more than 100 feet by the impact and later succumbed to multiple blunt-force injuries at Harbourview Medical Centre.
Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Kandula had moved to the US from Bengaluru in 2021 under a student exchange programme. She was expected to graduate later that year.
Bodycam Footage and Controversial Remarks
The case intensified after bodycam footage surfaced involving Officer Daniel Auderer, who responded to the scene. During a recorded phone conversation, he was heard laughing while discussing the crash.
“But she is dead,” the officer is heard saying before laughing. “No, it's a regular person. Yeah, just write a cheque,” he said, before laughing again. “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
In another clip released later, Auderer said, “Uh, I think she went up on the hood, hit the windshield, and then when he hit the brakes, flew off the car... But she is dead.” According to the department’s Disciplinary Action Report, Auderer “laughed hard for four seconds.”
Reacting to the remarks, Kandula’s grandfather told NDTV, “How can anyone speak like that after a tragic accident?”
Auderer later claimed his comments were taken out of context, stating that he was “ridiculing the city attorneys who would be tasked with litigating a potential wrongful death lawsuit.”
Administrative Action and Lawsuit
Amid public backlash, Auderer was reassigned to a non-operational role. The Seattle Community Police Commission had recommended that he be relieved of duty and that his pay be withheld.
Kandula’s parents subsequently filed a wrongful death lawsuit in King County Superior Court, alleging police negligence and seeking accountability.
No Criminal Charges, Departmental Action
In February 2024, prosecutors announced that criminal charges would not be filed against Kevin Dave, citing insufficient evidence and stating he did not demonstrate a “conscious disregard for others' safety.” He was later issued a $5,000 traffic infraction by the Seattle City Attorney.
In January 2025, Dave was fired after the Seattle Office of Police Accountability found that he had violated four department policies.
Daniel Auderer was also dismissed months earlier following disciplinary proceedings related to his remarks.
The Rs 260 Crore Settlement
Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans confirmed the $29 million settlement, describing the incident as a profound loss.
“Jaahnavi Kandula's death was heartbreaking, and the city hopes this financial settlement brings some sense of closure to the Kandula family.”
“Jaahnavi Kandula's life mattered. It mattered to her family, her friends and to our community,” she said.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment