Radiologist’s Charges Dismissed After Mental Health Program Compliance

Dharmesh Patel, previously a well-regarded radiologist from Pasadena, shocked many when he drove his Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in Northern California in 2023, carrying his wife and two children. Prosecutors alleged that this action was a deliberate attempt to kill his family and himself.

Following the crash, Patel was diagnosed by multiple psychologists with major depressive disorder. In 2024, his defense attorney successfully convinced a Superior Court in San Mateo County to allow Patel entry into a mental health diversion program. This decision offered an alternative to ongoing criminal proceedings.

On Monday, three attempted murder charges against Patel were dismissed. According to the San Mateo County district attorney’s office, Patel complied with all terms of the two-year program while living with his parents in Belmont. This decision was contentious for District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe, who opposed the diversion.

“We felt the crime was too serious, with premeditation and deliberation to harm his family,” Wagstaffe stated.

Patel, his wife Neha, and their two young children miraculously survived the January 2023 crash, which occurred along the infamous Devil’s Slide on the Pacific Coast Highway. Neha Patel informed paramedics that her husband had intentionally caused the crash.

The court dismissed the charges automatically after Patel fulfilled the diversion program requirements. This included regular psychiatric sessions, family therapy, and frequent court check-ins to update his treatment progress.

Patel was incarcerated from January 2023 until entering the mental health program in August 2024. Doctors later testified that Patel experienced a psychotic break, influenced by major depressive disorder, leading to the crash.

Before the incident, Patel was employed at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. Concerns over public safety led the California Medical Board to prevent him from practicing medicine while facing criminal charges. Patel eventually surrendered his medical license after allegations of unprofessional conduct.

The mental health diversion program was established in California in 2018. It aims to focus on treatment over punishment for defendants whose mental illness significantly influenced their alleged crimes. However, critics have raised concerns about participants potentially committing more severe offenses.

Recently, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 46, tightening rules around the diversion program. The bill enhances judicial discretion to deny diversion if the defendant poses a public safety risk. Language excluding attempted murder from diversion consideration was removed during revisions.

“Had the crash resulted in any fatalities, Patel might have faced a possible life sentence for murder. Instead, he is free after living with his parents for two years and attending therapy,” commented Wagstaffe.