A California physician who attempted to kill his family by driving a Tesla off a 250-foot cliff will undergo two years of mental health treatment in a court-ordered diversion program.
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Susan M. Jakubowski ruled on Monday, despite objections from prosecutors, that Dharmesh Arvind Patel will participate in the program.
During this time, Patel, facing three attempted murder charges, will not be permitted to practice medicine, use marijuana or alcohol, or have contact with his spouse and kids.
Mental Health Treatment Decision
Judge Jakubowski made his decision following Patel's diagnosis of major depression, which played a role in his behavior.
The court ordered Patel to attend weekly mental health and therapy sessions and to live at his parents' residence throughout the program. Should Patel finish the program, his case will be dropped.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the offense was too severe and posed a high risk to the public. Wagstaffe said he made every effort to eliminate his family and himself. Wagstaffe expressed his belief that attempted murder should not qualify for such a diversion program.
In January 2023, Patel, aged 41 at the time, deliberately drove his Tesla off the Devil's Slide cliff in San Mateo County, with his wife and two children also in the car. All members of the family miraculously survived the accident.
The court papers showed that Patel had a psychotic break, thinking his children were in danger of being exploited for sex, causing him to make the deadly choice.
According to the San Mateo County District Attorney, two doctors testified on April 24 that Patel was suffering from a psychotic break at the time of the incident.
The defense's medical experts reported that Patel was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and was experiencing a severe mental health crisis.
Family's Plea and Judge's Consideration
Patel's wife, Neha, who was in the vehicle during the incident, pleaded with the court to consider mental health treatment instead of prison time.
During a court hearing in May, Neha emphasized that her husband had never shown signs of mental illness in the 25 years she had known him. "I am pleading with the court to grant him his mental health diversion," she said, adding that they were not a family without him.
Judge Jakubowski has been assigned the responsibility of determining if Patel is a danger to public safety and if his mental health played a significant role in his behavior. Even though the charges were serious, the court recognized Patel's mental health issues and opted for a treatment-centered strategy.
Prosecutors' Concerns
Prosecutors argued against the diversion program, insisting that the severity of Patel's actions warranted continued court proceedings.
They highlighted that another doctor, diagnosing Patel for the prosecution, concluded he suffered from schizoaffective disorder rather than major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
This difference heightened their argument that Patel's situation is not eligible for mental health diversion.
However, the court's ruling emphasized the importance of tackling mental health problems within the legal system, especially when they are a key factor in criminal actions.
Patel's future depends on whether he follows the strict rules of the diversion program and continues with his mental health therapy.
