Attempted murder charges dismissed against radiologist accused of driving family off cliff

A radiologist who drove his family off a cliff in 2023—only for them to miraculously survive—recently had the attempted murder charges against him dismissed. 

Dharmesh Patel, MD, officially had his criminal case closed on Monday following completion of a court-ordered, two-year mental health diversion program. This after defense psychologists had described the physician as having a “depression-level psychotic break” three years ago when he drove his Tesla off the road in an apparent suicide attempt. 

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon K. Cho made the ruling July 6, with 45-year-old Patel expected to receive back his passport after it was confiscated by police, the Mercury News reported. Patel reportedly left court with his wife, who two years ago had pleaded with authorities for lenience in her husband’s case. 

“Not one witness came in to testify that Mr. Patel poses a risk of danger to society,” his attorney, Joshua Bentley, said during a previous hearing, according to the newspaper, adding that the radiologist is a “a decent human being, with zero criminal history.”

The original incident occurred in January 2023 when Dr. Patel drove his wife and their two small children off a cliff near Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County, California. His car reportedly plunged some 330 feet from Highway 1 onto a rocky beach just south of Pacifica. Authorities had claimed the wreck was so devastating that it was a “miracle” anyone survived, the Mercury News noted. 

In reaching her decision, Judge Cho cited reports the radiologist is doing “very well” in the diversion program. The initiative was set up in 2018 by state lawmakers to help stem the tide of mental illness in California jails and prisons. Patel had initially claimed his car was having tire issues. However, his wife made statements to first responders that he was seemingly depressed and may have “purposely drove off” the cliff. Multiple psychologists have since diagnosed him with major depressive disorder, according to the Mercury News. 

San Mateo District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe had reportedly opposed Patel’s admission to the diversion program, contending he “got the break of a lifetime.” Patel had his medical license suspended following the incident, but it’s unclear when or if he’ll be able to practice again, according to published reports. He previously had worked as a diagnostic radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, California.