Charges Dropped Against Indian-Origin Doctor Who Drove Family Off California Cliff After Mental Health Treatment

An Indian-origin radiologist accused of deliberately driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in California, USA, with his wife and two children inside has had all criminal charges dismissed after successfully completing a court-approved mental health diversion programme.

Dharmesh Patel, a radiologist from Pasadena, California, had faced three counts of attempted murder after prosecutors alleged he intentionally drove the vehicle off Devil's Slide along the Pacific Coast Highway in January 2023 in an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

Patel's wife and the couple's two children, aged nine and four at the time, survived the plunge in what rescuers had described as "an absolute miracle".

Investigators from the California Highway Patrol had concluded that the crash was an intentional act after examining evidence and interviewing witnesses at the scene. If convicted, Patel could have faced a prison sentence ranging from 25 years to life.

However, the San Mateo County Superior Court this week dismissed all charges after Patel completed a two-year mental health treatment programme involving a psychiatrist from Stanford University and a family therapist.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe reportedly said the court was legally required to dismiss the case once Patel successfully completed the treatment plan under California's mental health diversion law.

"The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges," Wagstaffe reportedly told local media, adding that defendants who complete the prescribed treatment programme have their records cleared at the end of the diversion period.

Patel's defence team argued that he had been suffering from major depressive disorder accompanied by hallucinations at the time of the crash. In 2024, a judge ruled that his mental illness had substantially contributed to the alleged offence, making him eligible for diversion rather than trial.

Doctors testified Patel was experiencing psychosis

During court proceedings, medical experts testified that Patel had been experiencing a psychotic episode when the crash occurred.

According to court testimony, Patel believed his children were at risk of being trafficked or abducted, with prosecutors later describing the beliefs as delusions linked to severe depression.

Patel spent part of the diversion period living with his parents in San Mateo County under strict conditions, including wearing a GPS ankle monitor and surrendering his driving licence and passport.

As treatment progressed, some restrictions were gradually relaxed, eventually allowing him supervised contact with his wife and children.

Also Read: Gujarat-origin doctor who drove off cliff with family in US was ‘psychotic’

Wife forgave husband and opposed prosecution

Patel's wife, Neha Patel, who sustained serious spinal injuries in the crash, later told the court she had forgiven her husband and did not want him prosecuted.

She reportedly said their children missed their father and wanted him to return home.

Following Monday's dismissal of charges, Patel reunited with his wife at the courthouse before leaving together, according to local media reports.

Despite the outcome, District Attorney Wagstaffe reiterated his opposition to allowing attempted murder cases to qualify for mental health diversion programmes and said prosecutors were seeking legislative changes to the law.

"We'll try again in the future," he said. "We're not giving up."

The case has also affected Patel's medical career. He surrendered his California medical licence in late 2025 after state regulators concluded that he had engaged in unprofessional conduct by causing harm to his family. It remains unclear whether he will be able to seek reinstatement of his licence following the dismissal of charges.