April 26:
Would it be more appropriate for Dr. Dharmesh Patel to enter a mental health diversion programme instead of standing trial for the attempted murder of his wife and two children in the Tesla Devil's Slide crash that occurred in January 2023?
The destiny of the Indian American radiologist, who is suspected of driving his family's Tesla down Highway 1 at Devil's Slide last year, will be decided at a hearing that began on Wednesday in Redwood City, California, according to Mercury News. After Patel finishes a court-ordered treatment programme, the charges against him could be dropped in a few years if the judge agrees with his request.
According to a psychologist who testified on Wednesday, Patel was experiencing hallucinations and hearing footsteps just before the crash. He was also worried about the opioid crisis, the conflict in Ukraine, and the abduction of his children.
Clinical psychologist Mark Patterson said the court that Patel was an excellent fit for the diversion programme due to his low risk of harming others and his significant progress over the past year.
"I see him as someone who is very motivated and amenable to treatment," stated Patterson, who was summoned to the witness by Patel's counsel. Furthermore, the doctor went on to say that it was "clear to me he has a good capacity" to react well to medication.
James Armontrout, a psychiatric clinician at Stanford University, has offered to supervise Patel's treatment if his request is approved. This treatment would consist of extensive outpatient care, including both group and individual therapy sessions, as well as appointments with both Armontrout and a psychotherapist.
But prosecutors from San Mateo County have moved to reject the idea. When the matter returns to court on May 2, they are anticipated to present their initial witness.
After plunging his vehicle off a 250-foot cliff into a rocky beach beyond Half Moon Bay, Patel allegedly attempted to murder his wife and their two young children, according to the prosecution.
While Patel's wife took a more serious beating, he was just hurt in the leg and foot. A 7-year-old received life-threatening injuries while their 4-year-old escaped with minor scrapes. In a subsequent not-guilty plea, Patel said that the family's Tesla had been having tyre problems, which could have contributed to the accident.
On his way to the Devil's Slide region, he allegedly informed investigators he had to stop three times at petrol stations to inflate his left rear tyre. According to officials, he also mentioned that the car's tire-pressure sensor light had been switched on earlier. Since then, the San Mateo County jail has kept him without bond.
At the outset, Patel's wife informed emergency personnel that her husband was "depressed" and threatened to "drive off the cliff," highlighting the centrality of Patel's mental health to the case. He deliberately sped away. There was no indication that the Tesla's autonomous capabilities were a factor in the crash, according to investigators.
