It's been six months since the Tesla that Dharmesh Patel was driving went careening off a cliff near Devil's Slide on the Pacific Coast Highway in San Mateo, California. Patel, 42, is accused of purposely crashing his car in an attempt to kill himself, his wife, and their two young children. Now, the former radiologist is asking for a mental health diversion.
During the harrowing rescue, Patel's wife, Neha Patel, 41, reportedly told authorities her husband was trying to kill their family. Dharmesh Patel claims he was suicidal and suffering from severe depression that caused him to act irrationally. He reportedly hopes to qualify for mental health treatment to avoid a hefty jail sentence.
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Dharmesh Patel allegedly said the car was to blame.
According to the New York Post, Dharmesh Patel claimed that his Tesla Model Y was having tire issues the day of the crash. He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in February. Miraculously, the family of four survived the crash, including a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. The mother and daughter reportedly suffered the most severe injuries.
Witnesses at the crash scene did not notice any signs of struggle or malfunction with the vehicle.
During her rescue, Neha Patel reportedly said her husband needed a psychological evaluation.
As emergency personnel worked to save Neha Patel, she reportedly said her husband tried to kill their family on purpose and needed a psych evaluation, according to court documents obtained by the Post. Neha Patel alleged Dharmesh Patel was depressed. He is now reportedly trying to use mental illness as part of his defense.
Dharmesh Patel's doctors want treatment, not jail.
Patel's lawyers addressed the court on Friday, asking to discuss their client's mental health needs, the Post reported. The lawyers claim he suffers from a major depressive disorder that likely contributed to the crash. The diagnosis could allow him to receive treatment in a statewide medical diversion program and not spend time in jail.
Entry into the program will not be easy.
Doctors would have to bring the court extensive documentation for Dharmesh Patel to qualify for the diversion program, Unilad reported. One stipulation is that he must be able to receive adequate treatment for the mental illness within the time frame of the diversion program, which for him would be two years.
The program is not extended to those accused of murder or manslaughter, but attempted murder is not explicitly ruled out, the website reported.
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Dharmesh Patel will face a judge at the end of July.
The former physician is scheduled to be in court July 31 to discuss the diversion program. If he is approved, he will spend two years in treatment. At the conclusion of the diversion period, he would face the court again to determine whether his charges should be reinstated.
He is currently in jail on no bond and is not allowed contact with his family.
"We think it's prudent, both for the victims and for the integrity of the case, that there be no contact between them and the defendant," San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Sean Gallagher said in February.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
