US government announces $29 million compensation to Indian student’s family, Jhanvi died in collision with officer’s vehicle
Seattle. The US city of Seattle has agreed to a US $ 29 million settlement with the family of Jhanvi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian postgraduate student who lost her life when she was hit by a police officer’s speeding car in 2023.
Kandula was hit by Officer Kevin Dave’s car as he was traveling at 119 km/h in a 40 km/h limit zone responding to a drug call. The emergency lights of his car were on and sirens were also being used at intersections.
“The death of Jahnvi Kandula is heartbreaking and the city hopes this financial settlement will provide some measure of satisfaction to the Kandula family,” City Attorney Erica Evans said in a statement released Wednesday.
Jhanvi Kandula’s life was important. It meant so much to his family, his friends and our community.” Kandula was studying for a master’s degree in information systems at Northeastern University’s campus in Seattle. Attorneys for Kandula’s family did not immediately respond.
The two parties filed a notice of settlement in King County Superior Court last Friday. Local news website ‘Publicola’ first reported the deal. There were widespread demonstrations after Kandula’s death.
Public outrage erupted when another officer’s body camera recording surfaced, in which he is heard laughingly describing Kandula’s life as “insignificant” and saying the city should “just write a check.” Indian diplomats had also demanded an investigation into the matter.
The city’s civilian watchdog found that comments made by officer Daniel Orderer, a former union leader, damaged the department’s reputation and undermined public confidence. Order was fired and sued the city for wrongful termination. He said his comments were intended to criticize how lawyers would likely react to the death.
The police department also fired the officer driving the vehicle. He was convicted of careless driving and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000. King County prosecutors declined to file serious criminal charges against him, saying it could not be proven that he knowingly disregarded safety. Approximately $20 million of the settlement amount is expected to be covered under the city’s insurance policy.
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