In a landmark settlement, the city of Seattle has agreed to pay nearly $29 million to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student tragically killed by a speeding police vehicle. The announcement comes just days after the devastating loss of her father, a police officer in Andhra Pradesh, India, compounding the family’s grief.
Jaahnavi, pursuing a master’s in information systems at Northeastern University in Seattle, was struck on January 23, 2023, while crossing the street. Officer Kevin Dave, responding to a drug overdose call, was driving at 119 km/h in a 40 km/h zone with emergency lights and sirens activated. Dashcam footage captured the horrific moment as Jaahnavi was hurled nearly 100 feet into the air.
The case drew international outrage when bodycam video surfaced showing another officer laughing and making callous jokes about her death, prompting India to demand a thorough investigation from U.S. authorities.
Tragedy struck the family again on February 10 when Jaahnavi’s father, Srikant Kandula, a head constable with Andhra Pradesh police posted in Guntakal, Anantapur district, succumbed to cardiac arrest. His funeral was held on February 11 in his hometown of Adoni, Kurnool district.
The $29 million (approximately 262 crore rupees) payout resolves a $110 million lawsuit filed by the family in 2024. Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans described Jaahnavi’s death as ‘heartbreaking’ and expressed hope that the financial settlement provides some solace. ‘Her life mattered,’ Evans emphasized, underscoring its significance to her family, friends, and community.
The family, still mourning, learned of the settlement via social media and has refrained from public comment. A U.S. official recently called inviting them to visit America in March.