Charges Against Man Who Drove Family Off Cliff Are Dropped After Treatment

Key Points:

• Charges against Dharmesh A. Patel, accused of driving his family off a cliff in California in 2023, were dropped after he completed a two-year court-ordered mental health diversion program.
• Patel faced three counts of attempted murder after the January 2023 incident where he drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff with his wife and two children inside; all survived the crash.
• The diversion program included treatment by a Stanford psychiatrist and family therapy, and as a result, Patel's arrest record was sealed, his passport returned, and a protective order lifted.
• Patel, a radiologist who surrendered his medical license in November, reconciled with his family during the program, and his wife, who was seriously injured in the crash, testified she did not want him prosecuted.
• San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe expressed that while the law was followed, it did not fully deliver justice, but acknowledged there was no further action to take as Patel complied with all program requirements.