Radiologist who drove wife and kids off cliff was having psychotic break and thought children ‘could be trafficked’, doctors say

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A man accused of driving his family off a cliff in a Tesla may have been experiencing a psychotic break, according to doctors who testified at his trial this week.

Dharmesh Patel, a radiologist from Pasadena, California, is facing three attempted murder charges after his vehicle went over Devil’s Slide, near San Francisco, with his wife and two children inside last January.

Mr Patel, 42, has pleaded not guilty and asked to be admitted to a mental health programme. If the judge grants the request, the charges would be dropped and he would be freed after completing the treatment programme.

At his trial on Thursday, two doctors testifying for the defence said that Mr Patel was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the crash, in which he believed that his children might be sex trafficked, according to local outlets.

His delusions related to concerns about Jeffrey Epstein, The Mercury News reports. Epstein, who died by suicide in jail, was accused of running a sex-trafficking ring of underage girls.

Leading up to the crash, Mr Patel also experienced delusions about Russia’s war in Ukraine and the fentanyl crisis, according to the doctors’ testimony.

San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said that other doctors, called by the prosecution, found that Mr Patel has schizoaffective disorder, meaning the treatment program would not be effective.

Mr Wagstaffe is arguing Mr Patel should not be admitted to the programme.

“Unlike if you're put on probation or parole, you have an officer,” Mr Wagstaffe told The Independent. “In mental health diversion, you don't have that at all. There isn't any oversight on it.”

If Judge Susan Jakubowski sides with Mr Wagstaffe, Mr Patel will go to trial. If Mr Patel’s request is granted, he could spend up to two years in a treatment program before being released. The judge is expected to release a decision in the coming weeks.

On 2 January, 2023, Mr Patel, his wife, son, nine, and four-year-old daughter “miraculously” survived a fall down the steep cliff on California’s Highway 1, just south of San Francisco. The Tesla flipped several times before landing on its wheels and became wedged against the cliff just metres from the ocean, officials said.

“We go there all the time for cars over the cliff and they never live,” Brian Pottenger, a battalion chief for Coastside Fire Protection District/Cal Fire, said at the time. “This was an absolute miracle.”

All four family members were hospitalised in critical condition. The two children were rescued through the car’s back window and had musculoskeletal injuries. Mr Patel and his wife suffered more traumatic injuries than their children.

Following the crash, prosecutors charged Mr Patel with attempted murder based on witness statements and video footage from the scene.

Mr Patel’s wife, Neha Patel, also told paramedics that “he tried to kill us” as she was being airlifted from the crash. Court records later revealed she had added that Mr Patel was depressed.

“He drove off. He’s depressed,” Ms Patel said. “He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He purposely drove off.”

However, his wife said a month later she did not want him to face charges, according to Mr Patel’s defense attorney.

Mr Patel worked as a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Pasadena before the crash.

According to an online profile, Mr Patel graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Michigan and had been practising medicine for more than ten years.

The Independent has contacted Mr Patel’s attorney, Joshua Bentley, for comment.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.