Attempted Murder Charges Dismissed In Devil's Slide Tesla Cliff Crash In SMC: DA

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Attempted murder charges against a Pasadena radiologist accused of intentionally driving his Tesla off Devil's Slide with his wife and two young children inside were dismissed Monday after he completed a court-ordered mental health diversion program.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon Cho dismissed the case against Dharmesh Patel, returned his passport and ordered the court file sealed, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Patel had faced three counts of attempted murder stemming from the Jan. 2, 2023, crash, when prosecutors said he intentionally drove off Highway 1 just south of Devil's Slide.

The Tesla plunged about 250 feet down the cliff, but Patel, his wife and their two young children survived. Patel, his wife and one child suffered serious injuries.

Investigators later said evidence indicated the crash was intentional, and that Patel's wife told first responders he had deliberately driven off the cliff while experiencing depression.

“He drove off. He’s depressed. He’s a doctor," Patel's wife told California Highway Patrol officer, according to the documents. "He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He drove off on purpose.”

Patel pleaded not guilty in 2023, and the case later centered on whether he should stand trial or receive treatment. Defense experts diagnosed him with major depressive disorder with psychotic features, while prosecutors challenged both the diagnosis and the proposed treatment plan.

Last year, a San Mateo County judge ruled Patel was eligible for California's mental health diversion program over prosecutors' objections, allowing him to avoid trial if he successfully completed two years of treatment.

Wagstaffe said the dismissal was required under California law because Patel successfully completed the diversion program, though he has previously criticized the state's mental health diversion law for allowing defendants charged with attempted murder to qualify.

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