REDWOOD CITY, California — A Pasadena father who allegedly intentionally drove his Tesla off a Northern California cliff while his wife and two children were in the vehicle, was charged with three counts of attempted murder, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced at a press conference here Jan. 30.
Dr. Dharmesh Patel, 42, a radiologist, faces 70 years to life in prison on each count of murder, a total of 210 years. He is being held in jail without bail. Patel was arraigned Jan. 30, but entered no plea. He is due back in court on Feb. 9.
“We made the decision today to charge Dharmesh Patel with three counts of attempted murder,” Wagstaffe told reporters at a press conference, after Patel’s arraignment. “We conclude that the evidence supports the fact that he intentionally drove his vehicle over that cliff, obviously endangering not only his wife and two children, but his own life,” he said.
