Dr. Dharmesh Patel, a 41-year-old Indian-American radiologist from Pasadena, California, faced a shocking turn of events when he intentionally drove his Tesla off a notorious stretch of California highway known as Devil’s Slide.
The crash occurred on January 2, 2023, with his wife and two young children inside the vehicle. Despite the perilous plunge from the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California, all four miraculously survived. However, authorities later charged Dr. Patel with attempted murder due to his deliberate actions.
In 2023, Dr. Dharmesh Arvind Patel, accompanied by his 41-year-old wife Neha and their two children—a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy—was driving along the Pacific Coast Highway.
NEW: California doctor drove his Tesla with his family inside off a 250 foot cliff because he thought his kids would be s*x trafficked.
Dharmesh Patel had a psychotic episode causing him to launch his car off a cliff according to new expert witnesses.
Patel was driving on the… pic.twitter.com/JzEMp5hrz6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 27, 2024
Suddenly, Patel swerved the car off the road, but miraculously, all four occupants survived the harrowing experience.
Steve Wagstaffe, the district attorney for San Mateo County, revealed that during the crash, Dr. Patel experienced a mental breakdown. According to two doctors involved in the investigation, Patel believed that his two children were victims of sex trafficking.
About Patel’s case report:
Psychologist Dr. Mark Patterson’s analysis and report shed light on Patel’s mental state, revealing that he was grappling with a severe mental illness that had escalated prior to the incident. During consultations with medical professionals, Patel disclosed hearing footsteps from behind, a detail that his wife confirmed.
Initially, Patel informed investigators that he was battling depression and had contemplated driving his vehicle off a cliff.
Following the incident, the 42-year-old was held accountable, resulting in the suspension of his medical practice license. Currently, Patel is pursuing mental health diversion as part of his legal proceedings.
If granted, this would allow him to be released from custody and participate in a two-year treatment program.
According to court filings, Patel was deemed a significant risk to public safety due to impaired cognitive abilities necessary for safe medical practice.
However, if he refrains from committing any further crimes or violating imposed rules during his release, the charges against him will be dismissed.
The prosecutors contend that the psychiatrist who assessed Patel did not diagnose him with major depressive disorder accompanied by psychosis; instead, they identified him as having Schizoaffective Disorder. Based on this assessment, they put forth their argument in favor of keeping the case in court.
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