California Doctor Seeks Mental Health Diversion After Driving Tesla Off Cliff with Family Inside

Dharmesh Patel, a 43-year-old radiologist from Pasadena, California, is accused of intentionally driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in January 2023 with his wife and two children inside. Miraculously, all occupants survived the catastrophic fall, though Patel's wife and 7-year-old daughter suffered serious injuries.

Patel has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. His lawyers are now seeking a mental health diversion program instead of a potential trial, arguing that Patel was experiencing a severe psychotic break at the time of the incident.

Two psychologists testified that Patel was suffering from major depressive disorder with psychotic features, including paranoid and delusional thinking. "Patel's greatest delusion was his fear that his children could be kidnapped and molested, which was somehow connected to his concerns about Jeffrey Epstein," stated psychologist Mark Patterson.

Patterson further explained that Patel's delusions were influenced by events like the war in Ukraine and the fentanyl crisis. He believed Patel acted to protect his family from a perceived threat of sex trafficking, thinking he was saving them from a worse fate.

If granted mental health diversion, Patel would be released from jail and placed on a comprehensive two-year treatment plan, which could include outpatient care, individual and group therapy, and meetings with a psychotherapist. Upon successful completion, the charges against him would be dropped.

Why this matters: This case highlights the complex intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system. It raises questions about how individuals with severe mental illnesses should be treated within the legal framework and the potential for alternative approaches to incarceration.

Prosecutors have opposed the mental health diversion, arguing that Patel was diagnosed with a different disorder, schizoaffective, and claiming it would be difficult to monitor him if the case leaves the court. The case is set to return to court on May 2, where the judge will decide if Patel's mental illness contributed to the alleged crime and if he poses a threat to public safety. Patel remains held without bond at the San Mateo County Jail as he awaits the court's decision on his potential treatment path.

Key Takeaways

• Radiologist Dharmesh Patel accused of intentionally driving Tesla off cliff with family.
• Patel pleaded not guilty, lawyers seek mental health diversion citing psychotic break.
• Psychologists testified Patel suffered from major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
• Patel believed he was protecting family from sex trafficking threat, a delusion.
• Prosecutors oppose diversion, case to return to court on May 2 for judge's decision.