The family of Jaahnavi Kandula, the 23-year-old Indian student who lost her life in a tragic police vehicle crash in Seattle, has been struck by another devastating blow. Just two days before authorities confirmed a $29 million (approximately Rs 260 crore) compensation settlement in her case, her father, Kandula Srikanth, passed away in India.
Jaahnavi died on January 23, 2023, after being hit by a speeding police vehicle while crossing a street in Seattle. The officer was responding to an emergency call at the time. The impact proved fatal and sent shockwaves through both India and the United States. The case sparked widespread debate about police response protocols and road safety, especially in incidents involving pedestrians.
At the time of the accident, Jaahnavi was pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Systems at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus. Friends and faculty members described her as bright, focused, and determined to build a strong career in the technology sector. She had moved abroad with dreams that now remain unfulfilled.
As the legal process unfolded over the past three years, her father remained at the center of the fight for accountability. According to relatives, Kandula Srikanth, a retired police constable, died of a heart attack on February 10 in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. His last rites were performed in Adoni. The family was preparing to hear about the settlement when they were confronted with yet another personal tragedy.
A relative told PTI that the family is currently mourning and does not consider it appropriate to discuss the compensation amount. For them, the loss is deeply personal and cannot be measured in financial terms. The settlement, while significant, arrives with a painful sense of timing.
The $29 million agreement represents one of the largest compensation deals in a case involving an international student killed in a police crash. Legal experts note that such settlements often aim to provide closure and avoid prolonged courtroom battles. However, for Jaahnavi’s family, closure remains elusive.
Her story continues to resonate with Indian families who send their children abroad in search of better educational and professional opportunities. Jaahnavi’s journey was meant to be the beginning of a promising future. Instead, it became a tragic reminder of how fragile life can be.
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Now, the Kandula family faces a double grief — the loss of a daughter whose life ended too soon and the loss of a father who spent his final years carrying that sorrow. The legal chapter may be closing, but the emotional wounds remain open.