Murder Charges Against Pasadena Doc Dharmesh Patel, Accused In Tesla Cliff Crash, Dismissed

India-West News Desk

BELMONT, CA – In the case that drew national headlines, attempted murder charges against Pasadena radiologist Dharmesh Patel have been dismissed after he completed a court-approved mental health diversion program, ending the criminal case over a 2023 crash in which prosecutors alleged he deliberately drove his family’s Tesla off a Northern California cliff. Dharmesh Patel Tesla cliff crash case

Patel, 45, had faced three counts of attempted murder after the January 2023 incident at Devil’s Slide along Pacific Coast Highway. His wife, Neha Patel, and the couple’s two young children were inside the vehicle when it plunged about 250 feet. All four survived.

A San Mateo County judge approved Patel’s entry into California’s mental health diversion program in August 2024, allowing him to undergo treatment instead of continuing through criminal prosecution. As part of the program, Patel received psychiatric care, participated in family therapy and provided the court with regular updates while living with his parents in Belmont.

Following his successful completion of the two-year program, the San Mateo County Superior Court dismissed the charges this week, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said prosecutors had opposed diversion because they believed the allegations were too serious, arguing Patel had acted with premeditation in attempting to kill his wife, two children and himself.

But once Patel fulfilled all of the court’s requirements, dismissal followed under the terms of the diversion program, leaving prosecutors with no legal basis to object.

Patel remained in custody from the time of the crash until he entered the diversion program. During court proceedings, multiple psychologists testified that he was experiencing a psychotic episode caused by major depressive disorder when the crash occurred. The court had previously heard that Patel feared for the future and believed his children could become victims of sex trafficking.

Investigators said Patel’s wife told first responders after the crash that he had intentionally driven the vehicle off the roadway.

Before the incident, Patel worked as a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

While the criminal charges were pending, the Medical Board of California obtained a court order preventing him from practicing medicine. He later surrendered his medical license. The board has not indicated whether the dismissal of the criminal charges affects his ability to seek reinstatement.

California created its mental health diversion program in 2018 to allow eligible defendants whose mental illness contributed to an alleged offense to receive treatment rather than prosecution.

The law has faced growing scrutiny in recent years. Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation giving judges broader authority to deny diversion when they determine a defendant poses a risk to public safety.

Had the crash resulted in a death, Patel could have faced a potential sentence of 25 years to life for first-degree murder. Instead, Patel leaves the case without a criminal conviction after completing court-ordered treatment.