Judge Dismisses 3 Attempted Murder Charges Against Dharmesh Patel in 300-Foot Devil's Slide Crash
Updated
Updated · KGO-TV · Jul 6
Judge Dismisses 3 Attempted Murder Charges Against Dharmesh Patel in 300-Foot Devil's Slide Crash
3 articles · Updated · KGO-TV · Jul 6
Summary
Three attempted murder charges against Dharmesh Patel, 45, were dismissed by a San Mateo County judge more than three years after prosecutors accused him of driving his family off Devil's Slide.
Doctors' reports said Patel was doing well in the mental health diversion program he entered after defense lawyers argued he had major depressive disorder and suffered a psychotic break.
In January 2023, Patel allegedly drove his Tesla about 300 feet off the Pacifica cliff with his 41-year-old wife, 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son inside; all survived after firefighters cut them from the wreckage.
District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, who had opposed Patel's admission to diversion, said Patel "got the break of a lifetime," underscoring the case's continuing controversy.