Indian-Origin Doctor Dharmesh Patel Avoids Jail Time for Driving Family Off Cliff in US

June 27 :
Dharmesh Arvind Patel, a radiologist of Indian descent, reportedly will not face jail time for deliberately plunging his family's automobile off a 330-foot cliff. Patel, whose children are five and eight years old, will instead undergo mental health treatment. Attempts on Patel's life were alleged in January 2023 when he was 43 years old and lived in Pasadena. Patel, his wife Neha, and their two children were in the automobile when they careened off the edge of Devil's Slide. Authorities had previously stated that the accident left both parents hurt, with the daughter being taken to the hospital and the son suffering "bumps and bruises, but no injuries."

The accident happened close to San Francisco, along Highway 1, in Half Moon Bay. It is still unknown what motivated the family to be in the Bay Area for the holidays, where they were visiting relatives. They made it through the plunge unscathed.

A court deemed Patel "eligible and suitable" for mental health diversion, according to CBS News, which cited the San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe's Office report. The June 20th ruling was handed down by Judge Susan M. Jakubowski.

According to Judge Jakubowski's extensive comments, the defendant met the criteria for mental health diversion. The district attorney's office released a statement in which the mental health expert testified that, after considering all of the information, she had determined that the defendant was suffering from major depressive disorder, a qualifying mental ailment as defined under the legislation.

Following the recommendation of the defense's medical team, the court ordered Patel to spend a few weeks in county jail serving a "bridging period" before releasing him. Within two months of his release, Patel is required to remain at his parents' Belmont home under GPS monitoring; he is also prohibited from leaving San Mateo County; and his only permitted outings during this time are to court or treatment appointments. You can't get Patel behind the wheel when he's under the influence of drugs or drink.

His acceptance into the two-year program is contingent upon his weekly court appearances to report his progress. The doctor has instructed Patel to undergo testing twice weekly "to show medication compliance." July 1 is the date set for the mental health diversion hearing. Patel's loved ones insist he was experiencing a psychotic episode when the incident happened, and they continue to stand by him.