Father who drove family off a California cliff suffered psychotic break, doctors say

SAN MATEO COUNTY, Ca. (TND) — A father who allegedly drove his vehicle off a California cliff with his family inside was suffering from a psychotic break at the time of the incident, doctors testified in court.

Dr. Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 42, was charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff at Devil's Slide on Jan. 2, 2023, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's office. His 41-year-old wife and two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were in the vehicle during the crash.

On April 24, two doctors testified that Patel was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the crash that led him to believe his two children might be sex trafficked,District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe reported.

"Patel was fearful about many things as he saw the world declining into turmoil and anarchy, including that his children might be sex trafficked," Wagstaffe said.

Wagstaffe stated Patel is seeking mental health diversion in his case which would allow him to be released from jail and put on a treatment plan for two years. If Patel does not commit another crime or break any rules when he is released the charges against him would be dropped, according to California penal code 1001.36.

Prosecutors plan to argue Patel is suffering from schizoaffective disorder, a mental health and mood disorder, and that the defense's proposed treatment plan would not work.

Wagstaffe also expressed concern that if Patel is released, he will not be monitored.

"If he goes off his medication, how do you know?" the L.A. Times reported. "It’s not like being on probation or on parole. It’s purely the visits with the psychiatrist."

Patel, his wife and two children survived the crash with only one child receiving minor injuries, according to Wagstaffe.

The hearing resumes on May 2 and Patel remains in custody under no bail.

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