A California family is hospitalized with severe injuries after the father allegedly intentionally drove them over a cliff. Dharmesh A. Patel, 41, a physician from Pasadena, was driving a Tesla with his wife, Neha, 41, and two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, when the vehicle plunged more than 250 feet, according to the Associated Press.
Miraculously, the family all survived and are being treated for multiple injuries. Patel now faces charges of attempted murder and will be taken to jail after doctors release him from the hospital, the AP reported.
The crash occurred on Devil's Slide off the San Mateo coast.
According to the AP, the plunge happened on a Devil’s Slide, a notoriously dangerous spot on the Pacific Coast Highway. The area is known for fatal wrecks because there are no guardrails to stop cars from going over the cliff.
Brian Pottenger, a battalion chief for the Coastside Fire Protection District/Cal Fire, said the car appeared to have flipped several times, landing on the wheels and was wedged against a cliff, the AP reported. Initial reports indicated the crash was accidental.
“We go there all the time for cars over the cliff and they never live. This was an absolute miracle,” Pottenger said Monday.
It is a miracle anyone survived.
A call was made to authorities around 10:15 a.m. Monday, and when emergency personnel arrived, they expected to complete a recovery mission of bodies, not survivors. Firefighters were forced to use the “jaws of life” to rescue the family. According to the AP, the children were pulled from a back window and taken to the hospital with musculoskeletal injuries.
Both adults’ injuries were traumatic, and they had to be airlifted to a hospital by helicopter, Pottenger said. The victims were listed in critical condition but were conscious and alert when rescuers arrived.
Patel is a physician in Los Angeles.
Patel is a doctor at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, KABC reported. As of Wednesday, there is no listing for Patel on the hospital’s website. The medical center released a statement on Tuesday obtained by KABC.
“Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is deeply saddened to learn of a traffic incident involving one of our physicians and his family. We are extremely grateful there were no serious injuries. We will not respond further, as this incident is under investigation,” the statement reads.
Officials now believe the cliff dive was intentional.
The California Highway Patrol has reported that it is unknown at this time what driving mode the Tesla was in, including an autopilot setting, according to CBS News. Still, officials do not believe that contributed to the crash.
“CHP investigators worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene. Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act,” the CHP said, CBS News reported.
Authorities arrested Patel Monday evening.
Charging documents obtained by CBS News show that Patel was arrested Monday around 9 p.m., while he was still in the hospital. He did not resist arrest. He will be taken to San Mateo County Jail after he is released from the hospital.
“This remains an ongoing investigation and no further information is being released at this time,” the CHP noted.
