The city of Seattle has agreed to a $29 million settlement—equivalent to approximately Rs 260-262 crore—with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian graduate student who was fatally struck by a speeding police vehicle in January 2023. The agreement resolves a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kandula's family in 2024, which initially sought over $110 million in damages for negligence and related claims. City officials described the settlement as a step toward providing "some measure of closure" to the grieving family, with about $20 million covered by insurance and the rest paid by the city.

Jaahnavi Kandula, originally from Andhra Pradesh, was pursuing a master's degree in information systems at Northeastern University's Seattle campus. On January 23, 2023, she was crossing a street in the South Lake Union neighborhood when she was hit by a patrol car driven by then-Officer Kevin Dave. He was responding to an emergency overdose call and traveling at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25 mph (40 km/h) zone, with emergency lights activated and sirens used at intersections. Kandula was thrown approximately 100 feet by the impact, suffering fatal injuries. The incident drew widespread attention and outrage, particularly after body-camera audio revealed inappropriate remarks by officers about the victim's "limited value."

The settlement follows years of legal proceedings and public scrutiny. Officer Dave was fired from the Seattle Police Department and later fined $5,000 for negligent driving. Advocacy groups, including Indian American Community Services, have called for broader police reforms in response to the case, highlighting issues of accountability in emergency responses. The family’s lawsuit alleged that Kandula experienced terror, severe emotional distress, and pain before her death, underscoring the profound impact on her loved ones.

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This high-profile case has renewed discussions on traffic safety, police driving protocols during emergencies, and the treatment of international students in the US. While no criminal charges were filed against Dave, the substantial payout reflects the city's acknowledgment of liability in the tragic accident. Indian diplomatic channels and community organizations monitored developments closely, emphasizing the need for justice in cases involving overseas Indian nationals.

The resolution comes more than three years after the incident, offering financial support to Kandula's family amid ongoing grief. City Attorney Erika Evans stated that the agreement aims to address the heartbreak caused by the loss. As one of the larger settlements in similar cases, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of reckless driving, even in emergency situations, and the importance of adhering to speed limits and safety standards.

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