Indian Man Drives Tesla Off Cliff in US with Family, Doctors Cite Psychosis

An Indian-origin radiologist from Pasadena, California named Dharmesh Patel drove his family’s Tesla off a cliff at Devil’s Slide on Highway 1 near Half Moon Bay in the US, charged with three counts of attempted murder for the incident. Patel, his wife, Neha, and their 7 and 4-year-old children miraculously survived the crash. Reports indicated that Patel was suffering from major depressive disorder and had a psychotic break at the time of the incident. Testimonies from two doctors at a hearing in Redwood City suggested that Patel was experiencing hallucinations, hearing footsteps, and believed his children had been sex trafficked.

Patel is seeking a mental health diversion in his case and, if granted, would be placed on a two-year treatment plan, with the charges being dropped if he does not commit any crimes during the proposed treatment plan. However, prosecutors opposed the diversion, arguing that Patel’s diagnosis may not be major depressive disorder but a different disorder called schizoaffective, and that the proposed treatment plan will not be effective. They expressed concerns about monitoring Patel if he were to be released. The defense presented a diagnosis by psychologist Mark Patterson, who conducted 18 tests and spoke with the doctor and Patel’s siblings.

James Armontrout, a Stanford psychiatric clinician, would oversee the treatment if Patel is placed in the mental diversion program. Patel’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.