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California Physician Who Drove Wife and Children Off a Cliff During Psychotic Break Will Not Face Trial

June 30, 2024
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A California radiologist who drove his family off a cliff in a Tesla will avoid trial after a judge ruled his major depressive disorder warranted mental health diversion. Dharmesh Patel’s plunge down Devil’s Slide with his wife and children has sparked intense debates over mental illness and justice.

Radiologist Avoids Trial After Cliff Incident

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A California radiologist accused of driving his family off a cliff in a Tesla during a psychotic break will not face trial. Dharmesh Patel, 42, was granted mental health diversion by a judge, citing his major depressive disorder.

Mental Health Diversion Granted

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image credit: Nick Fox/Shutterstock

Patel pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder after allegedly driving his vehicle off the Pacific Coast Highway’s Devil’s Slide last year. His wife and two children, aged 4 and 7 at the time, were in the car; all survived.

Family Survives Terrifying Plunge

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Neha Patel, seated next to her husband during the incident, survived the 250-foot fall near San Francisco on January 2, 2023. She had asked prosecutors to drop the charges against her husband, who pleaded not guilty.

Judge Overrides Prosecutors

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Prosecutors had strongly opposed Patel’s mental health diversion, urging the court to proceed with the attempted murder charges. However, under California law, the judge has the final say in such decisions.

Awaiting Release

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Patel will remain in custody for several weeks before being released to his parents’ home in San Mateo County. The family miraculously survived the crash, though Neha Patel sustained serious injuries and initially reported her husband’s depression and intentions to first responders.

Judge’s Decision

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Judge Susan Jakubowski determined Patel was eligible for mental health diversion due to his condition, stating that a treatment plan would adequately address his mental health issues.

Court Grants Mental Health Diversion

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The court granted mental health diversion after determining the defendant was suitable. This decision came despite intense opposition from prosecutors.

Defense Testimony Highlights Psychotic Episode

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In a previous hearing, two doctors testified that Patel was in a psychotic episode during the crash. They stated he believed his children were at risk of being sex trafficked.

Delusions Fueled by Epstein Case

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image credit: Dan-Henson/Shutterstock

Patel’s delusions included concerns about Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking ring. Epstein’s high-profile case and subsequent death by suicide in jail intensified Patel’s fears.

Broader Paranoia Influences Actions

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image credit: Pandora Pictures/Shutterstock

Additionally, Patel experienced delusions about Russia’s war in Ukraine and the fentanyl crisis. These broader fears contributed to his mental state leading up to the crash.

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