All charges have been dismissed against a California radiologist accused of attempting to kill his family by driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in January 2023. A San Mateo County judge dismissed the charges after Dharmesh Patel, 45, completed a two-year mental health diversion program.
Patel was charged with attempted murder after driving his vehicle off the cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, an area known as “Devil's Slide.” His wife and two young children, then ages 4 and 7, were injured in the crash, but all four survived.
In 2024, a judge ruled that Patel would receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial. His defense attorneys argued that he was experiencing major depression with hallucinations at the time of the incident and qualified for mental health diversion under a California law that took effect in 2023. San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe stated that the judge was legally required to dismiss the charges upon Patel's completion of the program.
Wagstaffe and other district attorneys have expressed opposition to attempted murder charges being eligible for mental health diversion and are working with lawmakers to amend the law. "We'll try again in the future," Wagstaffe said. "We're not giving up."
Following his arrest, Patel told a psychiatrist that he was depressed and believed his children would be trafficked by kidnappers. He was initially held in jail without bail but was released in 2024 to participate in an outpatient mental health program. He resided with his parents, wore a GPS bracelet, and was required to surrender his driver's license and passport, checking in with the court weekly.
Patel's wife testified that she had forgiven him and did not wish for him to be prosecuted, stating that their children missed their father. The court eventually allowed Patel to spend time with his family and take them on drives. After the charges were dismissed Monday, Patel and his wife left the courthouse together, according to the Mercury News.
While facing charges, Patel was barred from practicing medicine by the Medical Board of California. He surrendered his medical license in December.