A California doctor, Dharmesh Patel, drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff with his family inside due to a psychotic episode fueled by fears of his children being trafficked.
Witnesses in the case have testified that Patel was suffering from acute psychosis when he deliberately veered his car off the Pacific Coast Highway.
Despite the severe nature of the crash, Patel, his wife, and their two children, ages 4 and 7, miraculously survived the incident. Dr. Mark Patterson, a psychologist, explained that Patel was experiencing psychosis, which escalated before the crash, leading him to hear imaginary footsteps following him.
Initial reports from investigators indicated that Patel’s wife had expressed concerns about his mental health, stating he was depressed and had expressed a desire to drive off the cliff.
Patel is now seeking a mental health diversion, a legal option that could allow him to be released from jail and placed into a two-year treatment program. If he completes the program and commits no further offences, the charges against him could be dismissed.
