Seattle has reached a financial settlement with relatives of a 23-year-old college student killed when an officer driving 74 mph in a 25-mph zone struck her in a South Lake Union crosswalk more than three years ago, though the amount remains undisclosed.
The city issued a statement saying Jaahnavi Kandula’s death was “heartbreaking” and expressing hope the agreement provides “some sense of closure” for her family. “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered. It mattered to her family, to her friends, and to our community,” the statement read. The settlement resolves claims against the city but leaves unresolved a lawsuit seeking more than $110 million that names both Seattle and former officer Kevin Dave.
Kandula was crossing Dexter Avenue North at Thomas Street on January 26, 2023, when Dave’s patrol vehicle struck her at 63 mph. Investigators determined Dave had been traveling 74 mph in a 25-mph zone while responding to an overdose call. The collision threw Kandula’s body more than 100 feet. She died at Harborview Medical Center.
Former SPD Interim Chief Sue Rahr fired Dave last year after finding he violated four department policies: failing to follow procedures, not activating emergency lights, failing to reduce speed appropriately while responding to a call, and unsafe vehicle operation. The lawsuit filed by Kandula’s family alleges she experienced terror, severe emotional distress, and pain before dying from her injuries.
Advocacy organizations including Indian American Community Services have pushed for systemic changes to police driving policies rather than simply terminating individual officers. “It’s not fair to say you fire an officer and that takes care of things. That’s not what we were asking for. We were asking for clarity and guidelines,” said Lalita Uppala of IACS. She described Kandula’s death as sparking national outrage and renewed demands for policy reform.
The settlement amount remains confidential. The agreement does not resolve the family’s claims against Dave individually, which continue in separate litigation. Seattle has not indicated whether the settlement includes any commitments to change police pursuit or emergency response driving policies.
