A California judge has dismissed attempted murder charges against a Pasadena radiologist who drove his family off a cliff, after he successfully completed a court-ordered mental health program.
San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Susan Cho dismissed three counts of attempted murder against Dharmesh Patel on Monday, following his completion of a two-year mental health diversion program.
Patel, 45, was accused of intentionally driving his Tesla Model Y off a 250-foot cliff at Devil's Slide on January 2, 2023, with his wife and two children inside.
First responders rescued the family from the wreckage, with Patel, his wife, and one child sustaining serious injuries.
Officials described the survival as a miracle.
Psychologists testified that Patel suffered a psychotic break caused by major depressive disorder with hallucinations.
That testimony led a judge in 2024 to grant him entry into the treatment program instead of facing trial.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe opposed the diversion but acknowledged the court was legally bound to dismiss the case once Patel fulfilled all medical conditions.
"The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges," Wagstaffe said.
Wagstaffe expressed frustration, noting that Patel avoids a criminal record and probation despite the severity of the incident.
"If the person who's given mental health diversion follows the treatment plan, there's nothing that can be done and at the end of the two years he gets it wiped out of his record," Wagstaffe said.
The district attorney's office argued that attempted murder should be legally excluded from mental health diversion eligibility under California law.
Wagstaffe said he would continue to push for legislative change.
"We'll try again in the future," he said. "We're not giving up."
Wagstaffe criticized the statutory framework for failing to deliver justice in a case involving alleged premeditation against a family.
"My complaint is with the law itself," Wagstaffe said.
He noted the stark contrast between the current resolution and the severe penalties that would have applied had the plunge been fatal.
"We felt that the crime was way too serious, and allowing diversion for somebody who had, with premeditation and deliberation, planned to kill his two small children and his wife, as well as himself, was not good for public safety," Wagstaffe told The Times.
Patel monitored his outpatient progress through a GPS bracelet while residing with his parents in Belmont and checking in weekly with the court.
"He complied with the conditions," Wagstaffe said. "There was no basis whatsoever for the prosecutor to somehow object and say no to it."
The prosecutor reflected on the legal leniency received by the defendant.
"Wow, boy, did he get the break of breaks," Wagstaffe said. "I hope he takes advantage of it."
With the criminal case now sealed and his passport returned, Patel is legally permitted to return home without further supervision.
"He can drive home tonight," Wagstaffe said. "It's like the case never happened."
Wagstaffe indicated the legal resolution effectively ends the county's ability to pursue punitive measures against the doctor.
"He's not going to be responsible for his conduct the way he would be if he was not a radiologist from Pasadena," Wagstaffe said.
"The law was followed. But I feel the law did not provide justice in this case."
The district attorney expressed a reserved hope that the medical intervention had achieved its therapeutic goals.
"There's nothing else we can do," Wagstaffe said.
Patel's wife previously testified that she forgave her husband, requested family reunification, and did not wish to see him prosecuted.
Following the dismissal, the Medical Board of California confirmed that Patel signed a stipulated surrender of his medical license in late 2025.
