A “suicidal” California doctor accused of driving a Tesla off a cliff with his family says he suffered from “major depressive disorder” and experienced a “psychotic episode” during the 2023 crash. be done.
Dharmesh Patel, 43, had been experiencing hallucinations, hearing footsteps and believed his children were being sex trafficked, he told a hearing Wednesday in Redwood City. Two doctors testified.
Psychologist Mark Patterson said the Pasadena radiologist’s paranoia was caused by the domestic fentanyl crisis and the war in Ukraine, which sparked fears that children could be abducted and sexually abused. Psychologist Mark Patterson said it appears to be related to Patel’s fears about sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Orange County Register.
Wednesday’s hearing was in response to an earlier request from Mr. Patel for a mental health diversion of the case.
If the judge grants the doctor’s request, Patel will undergo a two-year treatment plan instead of serving a prison sentence.
If Mr. Patel does not commit a crime during the proposed treatment plan, the charges against Mr. Patel will be dismissed.
If Patel were to enter the mental conversion program, James Armontraut, a psychiatric clinician at Stanford University, would oversee his treatment.
The newspaper said Patel’s treatment included “extensive outpatient treatment, including group and individual therapy sessions, and meetings with himself and a psychotherapist.”
The doctor was considered a suitable candidate for the program because he poses a low risk of injury to others and there have been advances in treatment since the accident.
Psychologist Mark Patterson testified at the hearing: “I see him as someone who is very motivated and amenable to treatment.”
Mr Patterson said his ability to respond to treatment was “obviously excellent”.
Patterson was diagnosed with Patel after undergoing a series of 18 tests and speaking with her doctor and brother.
Patel faces three charges for an accident that occurred on January 2, 2023, when his family’s car fell off an 80-meter-high cliff on Highway 1’s Devil’s Slide and landed on the Pacific Coast. He was charged with attempted murder.
Miraculously, Patel, his wife Neha, and their children – a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy at the time – survived.
The father of two has pleaded not guilty, claiming his Tesla Model Y had a tire problem at the time of the accident.
However, Patel’s wife, Neha, told investigators after the accident that her husband had been suicidal and had intentionally veered off the road.
“He is depressed. He is the doctor. He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He drove away intentionally,” Neha told rescuers.
It turns out the Tesla was not in self-driving mode, and witnesses claimed there were no signs of the vehicle malfunctioning.
Prosecutors opposed the diversion program, arguing that Patel had been diagnosed with another disorder known as schizoaffective disorder and did not have severe depressive disorder.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition similar to schizophrenia.
Prosecutors also argue that it will be difficult to keep tabs on Patel if the case leaves the courtroom.
“If he goes off his medication, how do we know? It’s not like probation or parole. It’s purely a psychiatrist’s visit,” Dist says. Atty. Stephen Wagstaff told the court: According to the LA Times.
Mr. Patel is being held in the San Mateo County Jail without bail.
