Doctor Dharmesh Patel, 43, who is accused of intentionally driving his family off a cliff at Devils Slide in California, has requested to enter a mental health diversion program to address his "major depressive disorder."
The program, offered by the state of California, aims to prevent individuals with mental health issues from being incarcerated and allows for charges to be dismissed upon completion. However, since Patel is facing felony charges, he would need to participate in the program for a duration of two years.
In January, Patel was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse after driving his Tesla, with his wife and two young children inside, off the 250ft California cliff. Miraculously, all four occupants survived the crash.
Initially, Patel claimed that a tire issue caused him to veer off the road. However, his wife Neha contradicted his statement, informing highway patrol that he had intentionally driven off the cliff, stating, "He's a doctor. He said he was going to drive off."
The California Highway Patrol released a statement indicating that, based on the evidence collected, investigators believe the incident was an intentional act. However, further details were not provided. An eyewitness told NBC Bay Area that she observed the vehicle driving in the wrong direction towards an exit. She glanced at her rear-view mirror and witnessed the car go over the edge and plummet straight down.
The entire family received medical treatment at Stanford Medical Center. Patel sustained minor injuries to his legs and foot, while his wife and children suffered more severe, yet non-life-threatening injuries. Brian Pottenger, a battalion chief with the Coastside Fire Protection District, expressed surprise at the family's survival, stating, "That stretch of road, this is a fairly regular occurrence for us and, typically, most people succumb to their injuries in an accident like this."
As the case unfolds, Patel's request to enter the mental health diversion program will be considered by the court. If granted, he will have the opportunity to address his mental health issues while avoiding incarceration. The program's aim is to provide individuals with the necessary support and treatment to reintegrate into society.
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