SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. — More than three years after a dramatic crash that stunned California, a San Mateo County judge has dismissed all attempted murder charges against Dharmesh Patel, a 45-year-old Pasadena radiologist accused of intentionally driving his Tesla off a cliff near Devil’s Slide with his wife and two young children inside.

The dismissal occurred on Monday, July 6, 2026, following Patel’s successful completion of a two-year court-ordered mental health diversion program. Superior Court Judge Sharon K. Cho ruled that Patel had made sufficient progress, leading to the charges being dropped and the records sealed.

The 2023 Incident

On January 2, 2023, Patel was driving his family — wife Neha Patel and their children, then ages 4 and 7 — along Highway 1 near Pacifica when the vehicle plunged approximately 250 to 300 feet off the rocky coastal area known as Devil’s Slide. First responders described the family’s survival as a “miracle,” with all four sustaining injuries but ultimately recovering.

Prosecutors alleged the act was intentional, charging Patel with three counts of attempted murder (one for each family member) and additional child abuse charges. Court records and statements from his wife indicated Patel was experiencing a severe mental health crisis at the time.

Mental Health Defense and Diversion

Defense experts diagnosed Patel with major depressive disorder and testified that he suffered a psychotic break driven by paranoia, including delusions about the state of the world and fears for his children’s safety. In 2024, a judge granted Patel’s request for mental health diversion under California law, allowing him to receive treatment instead of facing trial.

As part of the program, Patel lived with his parents in Belmont under GPS monitoring, attended regular therapy sessions with a Stanford University psychiatrist and family therapist, and submitted to twice-weekly medication compliance tests. He was restricted from leaving San Mateo County.

Neha Patel publicly advocated for her husband’s release and participation in the program, stating in court that the family needed him.

Reactions and Broader Implications

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe expressed opposition to the use of mental health diversion in such serious cases, noting concerns about the law’s application to violent offenses. However, the program’s completion led to the full dismissal of charges.

Patel, who had been barred from practicing medicine following the incident, is now free from criminal proceedings. The case has sparked ongoing debate in California about balancing mental health treatment with public safety in felony cases.

Source: NY Post