Source: USA Today
“A California doctor accused of intentionally driving himself and his family off a cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway last year will not stand trial and has been granted a mental health diversion, according to court records. Dharmesh Patel, 42, was charged with three counts of attempted murder in January 2023 after authorities said he deliberately drove his Tesla off a San Mateo County cliff with his wife and children, who were 4 and 7 years old at the time, inside. Patel pleaded not guilty to the charges and will now avoid jail time after a judge granted him a mental health diversion last week. … Patel’s doctors, who diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder and major depressive disorder, suggested that he be held in county jail for several weeks as a ‘bridging period’ before he is released, according to the district attorney’s office.” (06/26/24)