A Pasadena radiologist charged with attempted murder after driving his family’s car off a cliff in San Mateo County in early 2023 has had the charges dismissed following his participation in a mental health diversion program. Dharmesh Patel, 45, was accused of intentionally driving a Tesla carrying his wife and two young children off Devil’s Slide in Pacifica on January 2, 2023. Despite the vehicle’s nearly 300-foot plunge, all occupants survived.
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon K. Cho dismissed the three counts of attempted murder against Patel during a hearing on Monday. The decision came after the court received updates from Patel’s healthcare providers, who reported significant progress while he remained engaged in the court-ordered mental health treatment program. Judge Cho noted that Patel was “doing very well” and was committed to continuing his treatment.
Following the ruling, Patel embraced his wife, Neha, 41, in the courtroom before they left together. With the charges dropped, authorities are expected to return his confiscated passport, and no further prosecution is anticipated.
Court proceedings in 2024 revealed that Patel’s defense argued he was suffering from major depressive disorder and had experienced a psychotic break at the time of the incident. Testimony from psychologists indicated that Patel had been experiencing hallucinations and delusions, including fears that his children were victims of sex trafficking. Medical experts attributed these mental health issues in part to external stressors such as the nation’s fentanyl crisis and global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, which Patel reportedly linked to his concerns about the accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Neha Patel addressed the court in May 2024 via video, characterizing the crash as a “mental health episode beyond any of our understanding or control.” She expressed hope that allowing her husband to return home would lead to positive changes in their lives. “We need him in our life. We’re not a family without him,” she said. She also pledged to actively participate in his ongoing treatment, noting she would seek intervention if signs of further instability emerged.
During her remarks, Neha Patel described the emotional strain the family endured during Patel’s incarceration, which was without bail. She reflected on their 16 years of marriage and described him as a “kind and altruistic” individual who had been a close friend and supportive partner. She recounted the distress their children felt in Patel’s absence, including moments when their young son inquired when his father would return home and was heartbroken after a hopeful but unmet expectation associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
Neha Patel emphasized that her husband’s admission into the mental health program would benefit not only him but the family’s overall wellness and stability.