Charges dropped against father who drove family off California cliff

A San Mateo County judge has dismissed all charges against Dharmesh Patel, a radiologist who allegedly drove his Tesla off Devil's Slide in California in 2023, after he successfully completed a two-year mental health diversion program. Patel faced attempted murder charges, but the judge's ruling on Monday came after he finished treatment with a psychiatrist from Stanford University and a family therapist, as stated by San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. In 2024, another judge determined that Patel would undergo mental health treatment rather than go to trial, based on his defense's claim of episodic major depression with hallucinations during the incident. Wagstaffe mentioned that charges are erased from records after two years if treatment is adhered to, despite opposition from San Mateo prosecutors.