Tesla-crashing radiologist held without bail
Remember the radiologist who drove himself and his family over a rocky California cliff in an alleged—and fortunately failed—suicide-murder attempt? He’s out of the hospital and in jail.
The jaw-dropping chronicle began when Dharmesh Arvind Patel, MD, along with his wife and two children, beat long odds by surviving a violent 250-foot plummet Jan. 2.
The Tesla in which they were traveling ended up crumpled beyond recognition yet came to rest right side up.
Numerous news outlets are now reporting the alleged perpetrator is being held without bail and facing arraignment by the San Mateo District Attorney’s office.
While investigators continue weighing deliberate act vs. mechanical error, all accounts have it, the DA is deciding whether to charge Patel with attempted murder and child abuse or reckless endangerment.
As the case unfolds, radiology watchers will be interested to see if Patel claims work-related stress and/or burnout as a mitigating motive for his alleged crimes.
A neighbor of the family has said the Patels have been “a beautiful, idyllic family” with “no indication of issues.”
Previous RB coverage is here, and the breaking story is back in the news all over.
Jan. 31 update: The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that, after being taken from the car wreck by helicopter, Patel’s wife, Neha Patel
… spoke with paramedics, making ‘incriminating’ statements about her husband. ... Motorists also told investigators they saw no brake lights on the Tesla when it suddenly ‘made a hard right’ and plunged off the cliff near Devil’s Slide.”
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.