23-Year-Old Killed by Cop Car in South Lake Union

At 8:00 pm on January 23, 2023, 23-year-old graduate student Jaahnavi Kandula of Northeastern University was hit by a speeding police cruiser while in the crosswalk near the South Lake Union neighborhood.

Kandula is the daughter of a single mother, who is a teacher in India. After being encouraged to study in the United States for her undergraduate degree, Kandula pursued her master’s degree in information systems and was on track to graduate in December 2023.

The officer responsible for Kandula’s death is Kevin Austin Dave, who was hired in 2019. According to the police, he was responding to a “priority one call,” which is a call that involves a threat to life. Police reports state the officer was speeding through Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street when he struck Kandula in the crosswalk.

The subject intersection has been a point of controversy before. Originally, the city had planned to redesign the area to accommodate the increased level of traffic. However, funding for the project was cut by over $2 million by Mayor Bruce Harell and was never revisited by city council.

Sidewalk with police lights

What Is Wrongful Death?

A wrongful death claim can be filed when someone acted negligently and caused a person’s untimely death as a result. An eligible family member can recover for:

• Medical bills that were accumulated before the death
• The loss of income that person provided for the family
• The loss of benefits that would have been provided by the deceased
• Funeral expenses
• Emotional distress

While you cannot put a dollar figure on a loved one’s life, a wrongful death claim can help provide financial relief and justice for the family.

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Dealing with a Complex Wrongful Death Claim

Police officers have a duty to protect and serve their communities. However, they are not immune from being sued for civil matters. When a police officer acts negligently, their actions can have severe consequences.

Much like police officers, the city of Washington can also be sued. If city officials knew or should have known about issues within the city, and those issues lead to a wrongful death, then they too can be held liable. City officials should, to the best of their ability, provide a safe environment for the city’s residents.

A wrongful death claim can be challenging, which is why it’s important to have the right people fighting for you. At Van Law Firm, we have helped recover over $300 million for our clients.

How Can an Attorney Help Your Case?

Navigating the complex legal system is a headache, but when paired with the death of a loved one, it can be a nightmare. Hiring an experienced attorney who is empathetic to your needs in such a trying time is important.

There are many tasks that you need to accomplish when trying to get the perfect settlement. To help your case, our Van Law Firm attorneys will:

• Gather and analyze evidence
• Identify the liable parties
• Perform legal research
• Negotiate
• Communicate effectively with our clients
• Prepare for trial
• Argue your trial in court

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What Needs to Be Proven in a Wrongful Death Case?

Generally, in order to prove a wrongful death case in the state of Washington, the suit must be brought by the relatives of the deceased. You also must be able to show that the defendant acted negligently or carelessly, which led to the death of your loved one. An attorney can help.

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Contact Our Office for Help Today

Having a loved one die unexpectedly is one of the worst experiences anyone could ever face. At Van Law Firm, we will take the time to listen to your concerns and answer any questions that you may have regarding your case. You will not have to worry about dealing with court filings, analyzing evidence, meeting deadlines, and arguing your own case because we can do all of that for you..

Our team of experienced attorneys knows how hard this is for you and we are so sorry for your loss. As such, we will ensure that every part of the legal process moves as smoothly, efficiently, and effectively as possible for you and your family. Give our Washington office a call for a free consultation.