Seattle, Feb 12: The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student killed by a Seattle police officer in 2023, has secured a $29 million (Rs 260 crore) settlement from the city.
Kandula died on Jan 23, 2023, after Officer Kevin Dave struck her at 74 mph (119 km/h) while rushing to an overdose call, hurling her nearly 100 feet. Outrage erupted over bodycam footage of Officer Daniel Auderer laughing while describing the crash: “She went up on the hood, hit the windshield… flew off… but she is dead.”
Auderer was fired for the “irreparable harm” to the department’s reputation, per interim chief Sue Rahr. City attorney Erika Evans called Kandula’s death “heartbreaking” and hoped the payout—mostly from insurance—offers closure: “Her life mattered to her family, friends, and community.”
Northeastern University posthumously awarded Kandula a master’s degree for her achievements.
