Seattle Reaches $29M Settlement with Family of Indian Grad Student Killed by Police

The city agreed to the payout after the 23-year-old was struck and killed by a speeding officer in 2023.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was struck and killed by a speeding police officer as she crossed a street in 2023. The officer was driving up to 74 mph in a 25 mph zone while responding to a call, with his emergency lights and siren activated.

Why it matters

Kandula's death sparked outrage and demonstrations, particularly after another officer was recorded making insensitive comments about the incident. The settlement is seen as an attempt by the city to provide some closure to the Kandula family and address the damage to public trust in the police department.

The details

Officer Kevin Dave struck and killed Kandula as she crossed the street. He was cited for negligent driving and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, but prosecutors declined to file felony charges, saying they could not prove he was deliberately disregarding safety. About $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by the city's insurance.

  • Jaahnavi Kandula was struck and killed by a police officer in 2023.
  • The city of Seattle reached a $29 million settlement with Kandula's family in February 2026.

The players

Jaahnavi Kandula

A 23-year-old graduate student from India who was struck and killed by a speeding police officer in Seattle in 2023.

Officer Kevin Dave

The police officer who struck and killed Jaahnavi Kandula while driving up to 74 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Officer Daniel Auderer

A police union leader who was fired after making insensitive comments about Kandula's death, which damaged the department's reputation and undermined public trust.

Erika Evans

The Seattle City Attorney who stated that Kandula's death was heartbreaking and the settlement is intended to bring some closure to her family.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Erika Evans, Seattle City Attorney (ksgf.com)

“Officer Daniel Auderer's remarks were intended to criticize how attorneys were likely to respond to the death.”

— Daniel Auderer (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to approve the $29 million settlement between the city of Seattle and Jaahnavi Kandula's family.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing public safety, police accountability, and providing justice for victims of tragic incidents involving law enforcement. The large settlement underscores the gravity of Kandula's death and the city's efforts to address the damage to community trust.