The wife of a California doctor accused of driving his family off a deadly cliff last year made her first public statement on Thursday during a San Mateo court appearance. Neha Patel expressed her desire to have her husband, Dharmesh Patel, return home.
Dharmesh Patel, 42, from Pasadena, faced charges in January 2023 for three counts of first-degree attempted murder after allegedly driving himself, his wife, and their two young children off Devil's Slide near California Highway 1 in his Tesla.
Neha Patel appealed to the court to grant her husband mental health diversion instead of facing prosecution for the charges. She emphasized their long-standing relationship, stating they have been married for 16 years and describing Dharmesh as a 'productive member of society' and her 'best friend.'
Following the near-fatal crash, Neha and her children were injured and hospitalized. Witnesses reported Neha's initial statements to first responders, indicating that Dharmesh had intentionally driven off the cliff in an attempt to harm them.
Dr. Yan Chan testified about Dharmesh Patel's diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, citing symptoms of paranoia. Patel reportedly believed in delusions, such as the mailman plotting against him and fears of his children being sex trafficked. Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by a combination of schizophrenia and mood disorder symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Neha Patel stressed the treatability of her husband's condition and highlighted the importance of her family's health and safety. She urged the court to consider mental health treatment for Dharmesh rather than imprisonment.
Video footage from the incident showed the Tesla driving off the cliff without attempting to brake or swerve, as explained by San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Rescuers managed to extract the family from the vehicle, with the children being rescued using a Jaws of Life tool.
Neha's emotional plea for her husband's mental health diversion underscores the complexity of the case and the impact of mental health on individuals and families.
