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Charges Against California Dad Who Drove Family Off Cliff Dropped After Mental Health Treatment
The dismissal was required after doctors said Dharmesh Patel did well in a two-year diversion program that treated his mental illness.
- On Monday, July 6, 2026, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon Cho dismissed three attempted murder charges against Dharmesh Patel, 45, after he successfully completed a court-ordered two-year mental health diversion program.
- The Pasadena radiologist faced prosecution for the January 2, 2023, incident where he drove his Tesla off Devil's Slide near Pacifica, a 250-foot fall that his wife and two young children miraculously survived.
- Defense psychologists described Patel's actions as a "depression-level psychotic break," leading San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Susan Jakubowski to rule him eligible and suitable for the diversion program in 2024.
- Following the dismissal, Judge Cho lifted the no-harassment order between Patel and his family and ordered his passport returned, though he remains barred from practicing medicine.
- San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe remains critical of the outcome, calling it the "break of a lifetime," as California prepares to tighten eligibility requirements beginning January 1, 2027.
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Why US court has dropped case against Indian-origin doctor who drove Tesla off a cliff with his wife and kids
The US court dismissed all charges against Indian-origin doctor Dharmesh Patel, accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast. Patel was charged with three counts of attempted murder. However, on Monday (July 6), the court dismissed all of them after he completed a two-year mental health programme
·Mumbai, India
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Who is Dharmesh Patel? Judge drops attempted murder charges against California radiologist who drove family off cliff
Charges against Indian-origin Dharmesh Patel, who drove his car carrying his family off a cliff along the Northern California coast, were dismissed by a judge.
·New Delhi, India
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources69
Leaning Left17Leaning Right16Center26Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center
L 29%
C 44%
R 27%
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