Case Dismissed Against California Doctor Accused of Cliff Incident

A judge has dismissed the criminal case against a California doctor alleged to have deliberately driven his family off a 300-foot cliff in the Bay Area. This decision came after the judge found that the doctor had made notable progress in a court-mandated mental health treatment program.

Dharmesh Patel, a 45-year-old radiologist from Pasadena, faced three counts of attempted murder for an incident in January 2023. Authorities claimed he intentionally drove his Tesla off Devil’s Slide in Pacifica, San Mateo County. Reports indicate that a judge in San Mateo County dismissed the charges based on positive evaluations from Patel’s doctors regarding his mental health recovery.

At the time of the incident, Patel’s wife and their two young children, ages seven and four, were also in the vehicle. Remarkably, all four survived the fall.

During a hearing in 2024, Patel’s defense argued that he was struggling with major depressive disorder when the crash occurred, although psychologists described him as mentally unstable. Testimonies indicated that Ms. Patel had been experiencing hallucinations and held concerning beliefs, such as fears regarding child trafficking.

Patel’s paranoia was reportedly fueled by various societal issues, including the fentanyl crisis and fears related to his children’s safety, drawing connections to notorious figures like Jeffrey Epstein.

On Monday, Patel quietly faced the San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon K. Cho, who ultimately dismissed the attempted murder charges. Following the court’s decision, he embraced his wife, and they exited the courtroom together.

With the case dismissed, Patel won’t be subjected to further legal action, and he is expected to have his passport returned, which had previously been taken by authorities.

In earlier court appearances, Patel’s wife emphasized the importance of their family unit, arguing for his release into a treatment program. She expressed willingness to seek help if necessary, relying on family observation reports to monitor any signs of mental instability.

Judge Cho remarked on the positive progress Patel had made, confirming that he would continue to receive support and treatment.

However, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaff expressed opposition to the diversion program and criticized the dismissal of charges, stating that Patel had received an undeserved break.