On January 2, 2023, Indian American radiologist Dharmesh Patel drove off his Tesla, which held his family of four, along with himself, over a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway. The car was pummeled as it rolled for hundreds of meters at the devil’s side. What followed was a rescue mission, and the family miraculously survived. The 42-year-old got three charges of attempted murder, for which he pleaded not guilty. And now the radiologist has successfully avoided confinement.
Apparently, the radiologist had pleaded not guilty on account of his poor mental health conditions. The wife, Neha Patel, came up in support of her husband, telling the authorities her side of the story. She said, “He drove off. He’s Depressed… He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He purposefully drove off.” Thus revealing that the radiologist suffered from depression and had a severe mental breakdown. Patel’s attorney had requested a health diversion program. Thus avoiding trial.
The court, after reviewing the evidence, has come to the conclusion that instead of facing a sentence, Dharmesh will undergo a two-year mental health outpatient treatment program. The man was diagnosed with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. A bridging period of jail was recommended by the doctors. Dhramesh’s family stands with him. However, this raises questions about the sheer mental harassment people are going through and how it is affecting their day-to-day lives and interpersonal relationships between families.
