An Indian-origin doctor accused of attempting to kill his family by driving a Tesla off a cliff in Northern California in 2023 has had all criminal charges dismissed after successfully completing a court-approved mental health diversion programme, according to the Associated Press. His wife, nine-year-old daughter and four-year-old son were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash, and all four survived.
Dharmesh Patel, a radiologist from Pasadena, California, had been charged with three counts of attempted murder after prosecutors alleged that he deliberately drove his family off the 250-foot Devil's Slide cliff along California's Pacific Coast Highway in January 2023. Rescue teams described the family's survival as "an absolute miracle," according to the Associated Press.
Following the incident, the California Highway Patrol said investigators had established probable cause to believe the crash was intentional based on witness statements and evidence collected at the scene. Prosecutors alleged that Patel had intentionally driven the Tesla off the cliff in what they described as an attempted murder-suicide.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Patel faced a potential prison sentence of 25 years to life if convicted. The newspaper also reported that San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe opposed Patel's entry into a mental health diversion programme, arguing that the seriousness of the allegations made him ineligible.
However, on Monday, the San Mateo County Superior Court dismissed all charges after Patel completed a two-year treatment programme supervised by a Stanford University psychiatrist and a family therapist, Wagstaffe told the Associated Press.
"The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges," Wagstaffe said, explaining that California's mental health diversion law mandates dismissal once a defendant successfully completes the approved treatment plan. "There's nothing that can be done and at the end of the two years he gets it wiped out of his record," he added.
Patel's legal team argued that he was suffering from major depressive disorder accompanied by hallucinations when the crash occurred. In 2024, a judge ruled that his mental illness had substantially contributed to the alleged offence, making him eligible for California's mental health diversion programme instead of standing trial.
Doctors testified Patel suffered a psychotic episode
During court proceedings in 2024, two medical experts testified that Patel had been experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the crash. According to the Los Angeles Times, he had developed the delusional belief that his children were at risk of being trafficked, while the Associated Press reported that he later told a psychiatrist he believed kidnappers intended to abduct them. District Attorney Wagstaffe said these delusions stemmed from severe depression.
The New York Times reported that the dismissal means Patel's arrest record will be sealed, his passport returned and the protective order against him lifted. Quoting Wagstaffe, the newspaper reported him saying, "He can drive home tonight. It's like the case never happened."
Patel was initially jailed without bail following the January 2023 crash before being released in 2024 to begin outpatient treatment. According to the Associated Press, he lived with his parents in San Mateo County while participating in the programme, wore a GPS ankle monitor, surrendered both his passport and driving licence, and regularly reported to the court on his treatment.
As he progressed through the programme, the court gradually eased the restrictions. The Associated Press reported that Patel was eventually permitted to spend time with his wife and children and later allowed to take them on supervised drives.
Wife supported dismissal of the case
Patel's wife, Neha Patel, who sustained serious spinal injuries in the crash, later told the court that she had forgiven her husband and did not want him to face prosecution. According to KTLA-TV, she said their children missed their father and wanted him to return home. The Mercury News reported that after the charges were dismissed, Patel walked into the courtroom gallery where his wife was waiting, and the couple left the courthouse together.
Despite the dismissal, District Attorney Wagstaffe reiterated his criticism of California's mental health diversion law. Speaking to the Associated Press, he said prosecutors across the state believe attempted murder should not qualify for diversion programmes and are working with lawmakers to amend the legislation.
"We'll try again in the future," he said. "We're not giving up."
The Los Angeles Times reported that Wagstaffe remained disappointed that Patel would not stand trial despite the gravity of the allegations. "Wow, boy, did he get the break of breaks," he told the newspaper. "I hope he takes advantage of it."
Separately, Patel's medical career has also been affected by the case. According to the Los Angeles Times, he surrendered his California medical licence in late 2025 after the Medical Board of California concluded that he had engaged in unprofessional conduct by intentionally causing harm to his family. The Associated Press also reported that the board had previously barred him from practising medicine while the criminal case remained pending. It is currently unclear whether Patel will be eligible to seek reinstatement of his medical licence following the dismissal of the charges.
