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Charges against California dad who drove family off cliff dropped after mental health treatment
By Olga R. Rodriguez | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
All charges against a radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast have been dismissed by a judge following his completion of a mental health program.
Prosecutors charged Dharmesh Patel, 45, with attempted murder afte...
Key takeaway Prosecutors charged Dharmesh Patel, 45, with attempted murder after he drove his Tesla off a 250-foot (76-meter) cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Devil’s Slide,” injuring his wife and two young children.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The dismissal of charges against Dharmesh Patel raises questions about the application of California's mental health diversion law in San Francisco County's neighboring jurisdictions. As San Mateo County prosecutors opposed Patel's diversion, citing concerns that attempted murder should be excluded from eligibility, this case may influence future legislative efforts to amend the law. The fact that Patel was able to complete a two-year mental health program and have the charges wiped from his record may prompt local lawmakers to reexamine the law's provisions. This development also underscores the complexities of balancing public safety with mental health treatment in the Bay Area, where Patel was on a family road trip at the time of the incident. As the San Mateo County District Attorney's office continues to work with lawmakers to address these concerns, the outcome of this case will likely be closely watched by local communities and officials.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? All charges against a radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast have been dismissed by a judge following his completion of a mental health program.
Prosecutors charged Dharmesh Patel, 45, with attempted murder afte...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Olga R. Rodriguez | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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