SAN MATEO COUNTY — A San Mateo County judge dismissed all charges against Dharmesh Patel on July 7, 2026, after he completed a two-year mental health diversion program. Patel, a 45-year-old radiologist from Pasadena, had been charged with three counts of attempted murder stemming from a January 2, 2023, incident in which he drove his Tesla off a cliff known as Devil's Slide along the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacifica, San Mateo County.

Patel's wife and two children, ages 4 and 7 at the time, were in the vehicle during the crash. All four occupants survived the plunge, which involved a drop of approximately 250 to 300 feet. Patel, his wife, and one child suffered serious injuries, and firefighters cut the family out of the vehicle wreckage at the scene.

In 2024, a judge ruled that Patel would receive mental health treatment instead of standing trial. Patel qualified for mental health diversion under a California law that went into effect in 2023. Defense attorneys argued that he was experiencing episodic major depression with hallucinations at the time of the crash, and psychologists testified that he had suffered a psychotic break. Patel told a psychiatrist after his arrest that he had delusions his children would be trafficked by kidnappers.

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon K. Cho presided over the dismissal on July 7, 2026. Patel's treatment included supervision by a Stanford University psychiatrist and a family therapist. He was monitored through a GPS bracelet, surrendered his driver's license and passport, and was required to check in with the court weekly. Patel moved in with his parents in San Mateo County during the program, and the court eventually allowed him to spend time with his family and take them on drives. Patel's wife and children had relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Patel's wife testified that she forgave her husband and did not want him prosecuted. She also stated that her children missed their father and wanted him back home. After the judge announced the dismissal, Patel embraced his wife in the courtroom gallery, and the couple left the courthouse together.

San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe opposed Patel's admission to the diversion program and criticized the outcome. "He got the break of a lifetime," Wagstaffe said. "The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges," Wagstaffe said. He stated that prosecutors are working with lawmakers to amend the law to exclude attempted murder from mental health diversion eligibility. "My complaint is with the law itself," Wagstaffe said. "If the person who's given mental health diversion follows the treatment plan, there's nothing that can be done and at the end of the two years he gets it wiped out of his record." Wagstaffe said, "We're not giving up," and "We'll try again in the future."

Patel was held in jail without bail until his release in 2024 to begin the outpatient treatment program. He initially claimed tire pressure problems caused him to lose control of the vehicle, but prosecutors cited witnesses who said the Tesla did not appear to brake before leaving the roadway. Patel's wife told investigators immediately after the crash that he had threatened to drive off the cliff. The Medical Board of California barred Patel from practicing medicine months after his arrest, and he surrendered his California medical license in December. Attempted murder remains an eligible offense for mental health diversion under current law.

Why It Matters

The case involves the application of California's mental health diversion law to serious felony charges, including attempted murder, and has prompted calls from prosecutors to revise the statute. The law mandates dismissal of charges upon successful completion of treatment, regardless of the severity of the original allegations. Questions have been raised about legal accountability and public safety in cases involving mental health crises.

The outcome reflects the intersection of mental health policy, criminal justice, and victim perspectives. Patel's wife publicly supported his rehabilitation, and the court permitted gradual family reunification during treatment. Meanwhile, prosecutors signaled their intent to pursue legislative changes to prevent similar dispositions in future attempted murder cases.