All criminal charges have been dismissed against Dharmesh Patel, a California radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving their car off a cliff along the Northern California coast.
A judge dismissed the case after Patel completed a two-year mental health diversion program.
2023 Cliff Crash Injured Family
Patel, 45, had been charged with attempted murder after driving his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway in San Mateo County.
The crash happened on Jan. 2, 2023, while Patel, his wife and their two young children were on a family road trip in the Bay Area.
All four survived the crash, which one official described as an “absolute miracle.”
Judge Dismisses Charges
A San Mateo County judge dismissed the charges on Monday after Patel completed a mental health diversion program.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said Patel had worked with a Stanford psychiatrist and a family therapist as part of the two-year treatment process.
Wagstaffe said the judge was required by law to dismiss the charges once Patel completed the program.
Mental Health Diversion Approved in 2024
In 2024, another judge ruled that Patel should receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial.
His defense attorneys argued that Patel was experiencing episodic major depression with hallucinations when he drove the vehicle off the cliff.
They said he qualified for mental health diversion under a California law that took effect in 2023.
Prosecutors Opposed Diversion
San Mateo prosecutors argued against allowing Patel into the diversion program, but they were unsuccessful.
Wagstaffe said that under the law, if a person granted mental health diversion follows the required treatment plan, the case must be cleared from their record after two years.
District Attorneys Want Law Changed
Wagstaffe and other California district attorneys have argued that attempted murder cases should not qualify for mental health diversion.
They are working with lawmakers to try to change the law.
Wagstaffe said prosecutors are not giving up and will continue pushing for amendments in the future.
Patel Reported Depression and Delusions
After his arrest, Patel told a psychiatrist that he had been depressed.
According to Wagstaffe, Patel also said he was experiencing delusions that his children, who were 4 and 7 years old at the time, would be kidnapped and trafficked.
Patel Released for Outpatient Treatment
Patel remained in jail without bail until 2024.
He was then released to complete an outpatient mental health treatment program.
After his release, he moved in with his parents in San Mateo County and was monitored with a GPS bracelet.
He was also required to surrender his driver’s license and passport and check in with the court every week.
Family Later Reunited
Wagstaffe said Patel’s wife and children also moved to the San Francisco Bay Area.
The court eventually allowed Patel to spend time with his family and take them on drives.
Patel’s wife testified that she had forgiven him and did not want him prosecuted.
She also said their children missed their father and wanted him to return home.
Patel Leaves Court With Wife
After the charges were dismissed Monday, Patel walked toward the courtroom gallery where his wife was waiting.
According to the Mercury News, the couple then left the building together.
Patel’s attorney, Joshua Bentley, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Medical License Surrendered
Months after Patel’s arrest, the Medical Board of California barred him from practicing medicine while he faced attempted murder charges.
The board said Tuesday that Patel surrendered his California medical license in December.
The dismissal of charges against Dharmesh Patel closes a high-profile criminal case tied to the 2023 cliff crash that injured his wife and two children. The judge dismissed the attempted murder charges after Patel completed a two-year mental health diversion program, as required under California law.
Prosecutors opposed the diversion and continue to argue that attempted murder should be excluded from such programs. While Patel’s family has supported his return, the case has renewed debate over mental health diversion, public safety and accountability in serious criminal allegations.