The doctor who intentionally pushed a Tesla off a cliff with his family inside will not face trial or prison

A father of two who drove a Tesla with his wife and children off a cliff will not face any further prison sentence.

In January 2023, California radiologist Dharmesh Patel drove his vehicle off the road and fell off a cliff known as “Devil’s Side.”

Patel (42) had his wife and two small children in the car at the time of the incident – then aged four and seven – and somehow all four survived.

In a speech after the incident, Patel’s wife said he intentionally drove off the cliff.

She reportedly told police officers: “He drove away. He’s depressed. He is a doctor. He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He drove away on purpose.”

Patel was charged with attempted murder in three cases – he pleaded not guilty.

The radiologist requested mental health diversion.

Facing charges that could land him behind bars for decades, his wife Neha expressed her desire for her husband to return home so the family could be “rebuilt.”

She said: “I am begging the court to allow him to divert attention from his mental health.

“We need him in our lives and it has been over a year and a half since my children or I have seen or spoken to Dharmesh. We’re not a family without him.”

Neha added, “Mental health treatment will not only bring him back to health, but also our family.”

Neha’s pleas have since been answered as Patel has been granted psychiatric care.

San Mateo Superior Court Judge Susan Jakubowski found Patel qualified for such a diversion because of his mental health condition.

“Considering all the factors, the court found the defendant competent and granted the defense’s request for mental health diversion,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

Although the prosecutor opposed the idea of ​​granting diversion, the decision under California law rests with the court.

According to NBC News, Patel will now remain in jail for several weeks before being released to his parents’ home in San Mateo County.

He will only be allowed to leave his home to attend a treatment program or court hearings. Meanwhile, he will also have to wear a GPS monitor and surrender his driving license and passport.

A mental health diversion hearing is scheduled for July 1.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach the 24-hour crisis center or use online chat 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the crisis hotline by texting MHA to 741741.