Dharmesh Patel, once a respected radiologist living in a tranquil Pasadena neighborhood, faced serious allegations in 2023. He drove his Tesla, with his wife and two young children, off a 250-foot cliff in Northern California. Prosecutors claimed this was an attempt to kill them all.
Following the crash, multiple psychologists diagnosed Patel with major depressive disorder. In 2024, his defense attorney persuaded a San Mateo County Superior Court to allow him into a mental health diversion program instead of pursuing criminal charges further.
On Monday, the San Mateo County district attorney’s office confirmed that the three attempted murder charges against Patel, now 45, were dismissed. This was due to his compliance with all terms of a two-year program while residing with his parents in Belmont.
“We felt that the crime was way too serious, and allowing diversion for somebody who had, with premeditation and deliberation, planned to kill his two small children and his wife, as well as himself, was not good for public safety,” District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe stated.
Remarkably, Patel, his wife Neha, and their children survived the January 2023 incident at a site known as Devil’s Slide. Neha informed paramedics that Patel had deliberately tried to kill the family. Investigators examined the Tesla wreckage after the crash.
The decision to dismiss the charges occurred automatically as Patel fulfilled all requirements set by the diversion program. This included regular visits to a psychiatrist and family therapist, along with court updates on his progress.
“He complied with the conditions,” explained Wagstaffe. “There was no basis whatsoever for the prosecutor to somehow object and say no to it.” Patel was incarcerated from January 2023 until he joined the mental health program in August 2024.
During 2024, medical professionals testified Patel experienced a psychotic break linked to his major depressive disorder when he drove off the cliff. Before the accident, Patel worked at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.
Post-incident, the California Medical Board restricted Patel from practicing medicine. In November, Patel surrendered his medical license following a board ruling on unprofessional conduct. The board has not commented on Patel’s potential reapplication following the charge dismissals.
Mental health diversion, established in California in 2018, aims to treat rather than punish eligible defendants with mental illnesses contributing to their offenses. However, the program excludes severe crimes like murder and child sex abuse. Critics highlight cases where participants committed further crimes.
Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom approved Assembly Bill 46, refining diversion rules by empowering judges to deny diversion if defendants are deemed public safety risks. While initially considered, the exclusion of attempted murder from the diversion was removed from the bill before finalization.
“I hope he takes advantage of it,” Wagstaffe remarked regarding Patel’s situation.
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