Indian Doctor Describes Psychotic Behavior of Man Who Drove Tesla Off Cliff with Family

An Indian-origin radiologist, Dharmesh Patel, from Pasadena, California, was charged with three counts of attempted murder after driving his family’s Tesla off a cliff at Devil’s Slide on Highway 1 near Half Moon Bay. Patel, his wife, Neha, and their two children miraculously survived. Pictures of the incident revealed the wreckage of the Tesla at the bottom of the cliff.

At a hearing in Redwood City, two doctors testified that Patel was suffering from major depressive disorder and experiencing a psychotic break at the time of the incident. They revealed that Patel was experiencing hallucinations, hearing footsteps, and believed his children had been sex trafficked. They argued for Patel to be placed on a two-year treatment plan instead of receiving jail time, with the potential for his charges to be dropped if he doesn’t commit any crimes during the proposed treatment plan.

The defense’s proposed treatment plan would be overseen by James Armontrout, a Stanford psychiatric clinician. Their psychologist, Mark Patterson, diagnosed Patel after conducting a series of 18 tests and speaking with Patel’s doctor and siblings. They testified that Patel was motivated and amenable to treatment, making a case for his placement in the mental diversion program.

On the other hand, prosecutors opposed the diversion, arguing that Patel is not suffering from major depressive disorder with a psychotic feature, but from a different disorder known as schizoaffective, and that the defense’s proposed treatment plan will not be effective. They expressed concern that Patel, if released, will not be adequately monitored outside of his meetings with doctors. Patel’s attorney, Joshua Bentley, did not respond to a request for comment.

The story was not edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed. In the end, the court will decide whether Patel will be placed on a mental health diversion program or if the case will proceed through the court system.