The ‘suicidal’ California doctor accused of driving his family’s Tesla into a cliff allegedly suffered from ‘major depressive disorder’ and experienced a ‘psychotic’ break during the 2023 crash.
Dharmesh Patel, 43, was experiencing hallucinations, hearing footsteps and believing his children had been sexually assaulted, two doctors testified at a hearing Wednesday in Redwood City.
The Pasadena radiologist’s delusions were sparked by the country’s fentanyl crisis, the war in Ukraine and fears that her children could be kidnapped and molested, which appeared to be related to Patel’s concerns about accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, psychologist Mark Patterson said according to Orange. County register.
Wednesday’s hearing was a response to an earlier request by Patel seeking a mental health diversion in his case.
If a judge accepts the doctor’s request, Patel would be placed in a two-year treatment plan rather than receive prison time.
Patel’s charges would be dropped if he does not commit any crimes during the proposed treatment plan.
If Patel is placed in the mental diversion program, James Armontrout, a Stanford psychiatric doctor, will oversee the treatment.
Patel’s potential treatment includes “extensive outpatient care that includes group and individual therapy sessions, as well as meetings with himself and a psychotherapist,” according to the outlet.
The doctor was considered a good candidate for the program because he is at low risk of harming someone else and has shown progress with his treatment since the accident.
I see him as someone who is highly motivated and amenable to treatment, psychologist Mark Patterson told the hearing.
Patterson said it was clear he had a good ability to respond to treatment.
Patterson’s diagnosis of Patel came after a series of 18 tests were performed and he spoke with the doctor and his siblings.
Patel was charged with three counts of attempted murder for the Jan. 2, 2023, crash in which he drove the family’s car off a 250-foot “Devils Slide” cliff on the highway 1 and landed on the shore of the Pacific Ocean.
Patel, his wife, Neha, and their children, a 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, miraculously survived at the time.
The father of two has pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming his Tesla Model Y was experiencing tire problems at the time of the crash.
Patel’s wife, Neha, however, told investigators after the crash that her husband killed himself and drove off the road intentionally.
He is depressed. He is a doctor. He said he was going to go off the cliff. He intentionally left,” Neha told rescuers.
The Tesla was found not to be in self-driving mode, and witnesses said the vehicle showed no signs of malfunction.
Prosecutors argued against the diversion program, arguing that Patel has been diagnosed with a different disorder, known as schizoaffective disorder, and does not suffer from major depressive disorder.
Schizoaffective is a chronic mental condition similar to schizophrenia.
Prosecutors have also argued how difficult it would be to control Patel if the case goes out of court.
If you stop taking your medication, how do you know? It’s not like being on probation or parole. It is exclusively about the visits with the psychiatrist, Dist. Atty. Stephen Wagstaffe told the court according to the LA Times.
Patel is being held without bond in the San Mateo County Jail.
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