Judge Dismisses Charges Against Dad Who Drove Family Off Cliff

A San Mateo County judge has dismissed all charges against Dharmesh Patel, a 45-year-old radiologist, who was accused of attempting to kill his family by driving his Tesla off a cliff in Northern California in January 2023. The dismissal follows Patel's completion of a two-year mental health diversion program, as required by California law. The incident occurred along the Pacific Coast Highway, known as "Devil's Slide," where Patel's vehicle plunged 250 to 300 feet down a cliff. His wife and two young children survived the crash, which officials described as an "absolute miracle." Patel was initially charged with attempted murder, but his defense argued he was experiencing episodic major depression with hallucinations at the time of the incident. In 2024, a judge ruled that Patel would receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial. San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe confirmed the dismissal, stating that the law required the charges to be dropped upon completion of the program. Patel's treatment included sessions with a Stanford University psychiatrist and a family therapist. Prosecutors had opposed the diversion program, but the defense successfully argued that Patel qualified under California's 2023 mental health diversion law. Patel's wife, Neha Patel, had previously stated that her husband "did it on purpose" and needed a "psych evaluation," citing his depression and delusions related to the Ukraine war, fentanyl crisis, and Jeffrey Epstein. The case has raised discussions about mental health diversion programs and their role in the criminal justice system.