Charges against California dad who drove family off cliff dropped after mental health treatment
Summary
A California judge dropped all charges against Dharmesh Patel, who was accused of trying to kill his family by driving off a cliff in 2023, after he completed a two-year mental health treatment program. Patel was diagnosed with episodic major depression and hallucinations at the time of the crash, qualifying him for a new California law that allows mental health diversion instead of a trial.Key Facts
- Dharmesh Patel drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in San Mateo County on January 2, 2023.
- Patel’s wife and two young children were injured but survived the crash.
- He was charged with attempted murder but completed a two-year mental health program instead of going to trial.
- The mental health program included treatment by a Stanford psychiatrist and a family therapist.
- Patel was diagnosed with episodic major depression with hallucinations and had delusions about his children being kidnapped.
- California law, effective in 2023, allows people with certain mental health conditions to receive treatment instead of criminal prosecution.
- The judge dismissed the charges after Patel completed the program, wiping the charges from his record.
- Prosecutors opposed the mental health diversion but are working to change the law to exclude serious crimes like attempted murder.
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