SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — The man accused of attempting to kill three people by driving a Tesla Model Y off a cliff on Highway 1 is now behind bars, according to San Mateo County inmate records.
Dharmesh Patel, 41, a doctor from Pasadena, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse while he was treated at Stanford Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. Investigators believe that Patel purposefully drove his vehicle over the cliff near Devils Slide while his wife and two young children were inside on Jan 2.
The rescue of the family required a heavy emergency response. A helicopter repelled crews down the side of the cliff to access the Tesla, which landed in between several large boulders. Emergency personnel needed to cut the family from the vehicle including Patel’s wife who is 41, their 7-year-old daughter and 4-year old son.
The family members survived the collision, but they each suffered severe injuries. Patel was booked into San Mateo County Jail and was not offered bail.
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San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told The Los Angeles Times that investigators will be examining all potential causes of the crash, including the possibility of a mechanical problem.
“We’re having the car looked at from top to bottom,” Wagstaffe said.
An update shared from Wagstaffe’s office on Monday announced that three attempted murder charges against Patel have now been filed. Patel is scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.