Family of woman struck, killed by Seattle police vehicle will receive $29M settlement

SEATTLE — The family of a woman struck and killed by a police cruiser while she was on a crosswalk in 2023 will receive a financial settlement with the city.

In a statement, the family of Jaahnavi Kandula confirmed a settlement of $29,011,000.

“While no amount can ever bring Jaahnavi back, we hope this resolution reflects the seriousness of what was lost and underscores the value of her life. She was cherished beyond measure, and her future was full of promise,” the family’s statement read in part.

Kandula’s family sued the city in 2024, alleging it was liable for the actions of former officer Kevin Dave who was “negligently hired” and “negligently retained.” The settlement was reached last week.

The family asked for privacy as they continue to grieve and honor her life.

Dave was fired from the department on Jan. 6.

On Jan. 23, 2023, Dave was responding to a drug overdose call when he hit and killed Kandula, a 23-year-old college student. In an investigation into the incident, it was discovered Dave was driving upwards of 74 mph in a 25 mph zone in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Kandula entered a crosswalk and was seen on dash camera video running in the crosswalk moments before the deadly impact.

It was found in the investigation that Dave had his lights on but not his emergency siren. Instead, the officer “chirped” his siren at the intersection.

In a letter, SPD Sgt. Patrick Michaud said Dave’s positive attempt to respond to the call quickly does not “mitigate the poor decision that caused the loss of a human life and brought discredit to the Seattle Police Department.”

According to Michaud, Dave violated four policies during the incident, including:

• Employees must adhere to laws, city policy, and department policy
• Officers shall modify their emergency response when appropriate
• Officers are responsible for the safe operation of their police vehicles
• Officers use emergency lights for emergency response

Dave was one of two officers fired over the deadly collision.

Then-interim Police Chief Sue Rahr fired former officer Daniel Auderer over comments he made while responding to the scene.

On body camera footage, Auderer was captured on video saying, “but she is dead” and laughing while on the phone and responding to the scene.

“She was 26 anyway,” Auderer is heard saying in the video, misstating her age. “She had limited value.”

After that comment, he said the city should just write a check for $11,000.