Charges Dismissed for Father in Cliff Driving Incident After Treatment

WHO:

CNN - Dharmesh Patel, 45, a California radiologist

ABC News - San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe

ABC News - Patel's attorney, Joshua Bentley

ABC News - Patel's wife and two children, ages 4 and 7 at the time of the incident

WHAT:

CNN - All charges against Dharmesh Patel were dismissed by a judge.

ABC News - Patel was charged with attempted murder after driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff, injuring his family.

ABC News - The crash occurred along the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Devil's Slide.”

CNN - All four family members survived the crash, described as an “absolute miracle.”

ABC News - Patel completed a two-year mental health diversion program.

CNN - The judge was required by law to dismiss the charges after Patel completed the program.

ABC News - Patel was released in 2024 to complete a mental health outpatient treatment program.

WHERE:

CNN - The incident occurred along the Northern California coast in San Mateo County.

ABC News - Patel was from Pasadena, California, and later moved in with his parents in San Mateo County.

WHEN:

CNN - The crash occurred on January 2, 2023.

ABC News - A different judge ruled in 2024 that Patel would receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial.

ABC News - Patel surrendered his California medical license in December.

WHY:

CNN - Patel's defense attorneys argued he was experiencing episodic major depression with hallucinations at the time of the incident.

ABC News - Patel believed his children would be trafficked by kidnappers.

HOW:

CNN - Patel was monitored through a GPS bracelet and had to surrender his driver’s license and passport.

ABC News - He was required to check in with the court weekly during his treatment.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 23:24 UTC)

All charges against Dharmesh Patel, a 45-year-old radiologist from California, were dismissed by a judge after he completed a two-year mental health diversion program following a crash where he drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff, injuring his wife and two young children. The incident, which took place along the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Devil's Slide,” resulted in all four family members surviving, described by many as an “absolute miracle.” Patel's defense argued that he was suffering from major depression with hallucinations at the time, believing his children were at risk of being kidnapped, and he has since surrendered his medical license in December.