Dharmesh Patel, a 43-year-old radiologist from Pasadena, California, faced a hearing in Redwood City where medical experts explained his mental state during the 2023 crash. Testimonies presented a troubling trend of hallucinations, paranoia and delusions that took over Patel, culminating in the decision to veer his car off the cliff.
Testimonies and Defence Strategies
According to testimony from psychologists Mark Patterson and James Armontrout, Patel’s actions were driven by a major depressive disorder that spiralled into a psychotic episode. Patterson highlighted Patel’s intense fears, including delusions about his children being sex trafficked, which he believed were linked to broader societal crises such as the fentanyl epidemic and the war in Ukraine.
Patel’s defence team is seeking a mental health diversion program, encouraging his release from jail and enrolment in a two-year treatment plan. If Patel complies with the programme’s requirements and avoids further criminal activity, the charges against him could be dismissed. Armontrout, a Stanford psychiatric clinician, would oversee Patel’s proposed treatment, which includes extensive outpatient care involving group and individual therapy sessions. However, prosecutors have contested this plea, arguing that their diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder contradicts the defence’s claims of major depressive disorder with psychosis.
Regardless of the outcome, Patel’s medical license is suspended due to concerns about his mental state impacting his ability to practice medicine safely.
California Incident Overview
The incident occurred on 2 January, 2023, when Patel drove his family’s car off a 250-foot cliff off “Devil’s Slide” on Highway 1, miraculously surviving along with his wife and two children. Patel pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder, initially claiming the crash was due to tire issues.
However, Patel’s wife, Neha, said after the crash that her husband had expressed suicidal intentions and intentionally drove off the road.
Upcoming Proceedings
The case resumes on 2 May, where Patel’s wife is expected to testify; the judge Susan Jakubowski will decide if Patel’s mental state qualifies him for diversion and if he poses a public safety threat.
