Authorites in Seattle have agreed to pay approximately $29 million (around Rs 246 crore) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh who was killed by a speeding police vehicle in January 2023.
Kandula, a native of Adoni in Kurnool district, was pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus at the time of the incident.
The fatal accident occurred on the evening of January 23, 2023, when she was crossing Dexter Avenue at Thomas Street. Seattle Police Department (SPD) officer Kevin Dave, who was responding to a drug overdose call, struck Kandula while driving at nearly three times the speed limit in a 40 kmph zone.
The settlement was finalised last week by the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, nearly three years after the incident. Kandula’s parents, Vijaya Laksmi. Gundapuneedi and Sreekanth Kandula, had filed a lawsuit in September 2024 seeking $110 million (approximately Rs 933 crore) in damages.
“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 recognise 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 case drew international attention after body camera footage surfaced showing another SPD officer, Daniel Auderer, making insensitive remarks while discussing the incident. In the footage, Auderer was heard laughing and saying, “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” after making the comments. His body-worn camera also recorded him saying, “Yeah, just write a check. Just, yeah (laughter). $11,000. She was 26, anyway. She had limited value.”
During an interview with the Office of Police Accountability, Auderer claimed his remarks were sarcastic and were meant to mock city attorneys who would handle a potential wrongful death lawsuit.
The comments triggered widespread outrage, including protests in Seattle and strong reactions from Indian diplomats, who called for a thorough investigation. The incident also sparked broader debate about the treatment of international students and immigrant communities in the United States. Northeastern University Chancellor Kenneth W. Henderson condemned the officer’s remarks, calling them deeply inappropriate.
Seattle’s civilian oversight body later concluded that Auderer’s comments damaged the police department’s reputation and undermined public trust. He was removed from patrol duties in September 2023 and reassigned to a non-operational role. In July 2024, interim Police Chief Sue Rahr terminated his employment. Auderer has since filed a $20 million (approximately Rs 169 crore) wrongful termination lawsuit against the city.
Kandula had moved to the United States in September 2020 and was scheduled to graduate in December 2023. Northeastern University informed her family that she would be awarded her degree posthumously.
Also Read: Jaahnavi Kandula case: No charges on Seattle cop who killed Indian student
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