Dharmesh Patel, a Pasadena radiologist, is facing charges for driving his family off a Highway 1 cliff during what appeared to be a psychotic break. However, he may be eligible for a mental health diversion program. San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Susan M. Jakubowski recently ruled that Patel’s depressive disorder qualifies him for the program, potentially allowing him to be released from jail for the first time in 18 months.
On January 2, 2023, Patel drove his Tesla over Devil’s Slide with his wife and two children inside. Fortunately, all four individuals survived the 250-foot fall, with only one child sustaining minor injuries. The incident serves as a powerful example of the importance of mental health considerations in legal proceedings.
If accepted into the program, Patel would be able to live with his parents in San Mateo County while undergoing a two-year treatment program overseen by Stanford. The hearing on July 1st will assess his situation further and determine whether he should continue to be held without bail or released under certain conditions.
