Dharmesh Patel: Doctor who drove Tesla off cliff with family inside charged with murder attempt
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Dharmesh A Patel, a doctor and father of two who drove his Tesla car off a California cliff intentionally on January 2 was released from the hospital and sent to jail. The 41-year-old doctor is currently held without bail and if charged with attempted murder and child abuse by the San Mateo District Attorney's Office, he will be arraigned on Monday afternoon, January 30.
Authorities are currently investigating whether the crash was caused by any mechanical problems of the Tesla Model Y car. “Did the brakes fail? Were the brakes working? Were there any other mechanical malfunctions that would have led to him not being able to stop the vehicle?” said district attorney Steve Wagstaffe, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Patel is accused of intentionally driving his car 250 feet off the Pacific Coast Highway's notorious area called 'Devil's Side. Brian Pottenger, the battalion chief of Cal Fire's Coastside Fire Protection District stated that "The damage to the vehicle would indicate that it hit, and then flipped several times." Patel's motive behind the crash has not been revealed. However, officials have stated that the "probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.”
Patel was a radiologist by profession who worked at the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles. His family, including his seven-year-old daughter, four-year-old son, and 41-year-old wife Neha were rescued from inside the vehicle after the firefighters were forced to cut.
Patel's family and neighborhood
Patel, who allegedly led his family into a murder-suicide crash was reportedly a joyous father who often appeared playing with children in the community. Before leaving for Northern California for the long holidays, the doctor was seen gifting a poinsettia plant at the home of his neighbor on Christmas Eve which was captured on the neighbor's surveillance camera.
Patel happily introduced himself to a relative who took care of the home in the absence of the homeowners, saying, "I'm Dharmesh" and told her that he lived next door. The white Tesla car could be spotted in the clip. He asked her, “Can I just leave it [the poinsettia] at the front door?.” According to Los Angeles Times, Roger Newmark, a longtime Lomay Place resident recalled that the radiologist used to send out Christmas cards that featured pictures of his cheerful family. The home which had a decorated tree outside has a front door mat that reads, “Love fall most of all.”
“They’re a beautiful, idyllic family, no indication of issues. It’s so strange because he is a great guy. Maybe it was a moment of insanity,” said Newmark who added that the family moved to the neighborhood five years ago, the Los Angeles Times reported.