The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, who tragically lost her life in 2023 after being struck by a speeding police officer. Kandula, a master's student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25-mph (40 km/h) zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Although Dave had his emergency lights and siren on, the high speed at which he was driving caused the fatal accident.

The settlement, which provides financial compensation to the Kandula family, came after King County prosecutors decided not to file felony charges against Officer Dave. They cited insufficient evidence to prove that he deliberately ignored safety rules. However, Dave was fined $5,000 for negligent driving. The case gained additional attention when a body camera recording surfaced, showing Officer Daniel Auderer making insensitive comments about Kandula's death. He suggested that her life had "limited value" and recommended that the city "just write a check" for the settlement. As a result, Auderer was fired from his position, and his remarks significantly tarnished the police department’s reputation. He has since filed a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

The tragic death of Jaahnavi Kandula led to widespread protests, public outcry, and calls for justice. Diplomats from India sought a formal investigation into the matter, and the incident raised important questions about police conduct and accountability. Despite the settlement, the case continues to shed light on issues surrounding police actions and the need for improved public trust in law enforcement.