Neha Patel, the wife of a doctor of Indian descent, has made an emotional plea to prosecutors, urging them to drop attempted murder charges against her husband. The doctor stands accused of intentionally driving their Tesla off a cliff in California, with his family onboard, last year.
During her testimony in a Redwood City court in California, Neha Patel shared the emotional toll the incident has taken on their family. She recounted how their young son repeatedly asks when his father will return home, underscoring the enduring pain they are experiencing.
Dharmesh Patel, a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles, is facing attempted murder charges for the crash. However, Neha Patel is advocating for leniency, asserting that her husband was grappling with mental illness at the time of the accident.
The courtroom testimony delved into the heartbreaking impact of the prolonged separation from Dharmesh Patel. Neha Patel expressed how their family feels incomplete without him, lamenting the absence of his presence during birthdays and holidays.
The incident occurred on January 2, 2023, on a treacherous section of the Pacific Coast Highway known as Devil's Slide. Despite the perilous plunge, all four family members miraculously survived, albeit with injuries.
Dharmesh Patel's legal team is seeking his participation in a two-year mental health diversion program. This program, introduced in California in 2018, offers treatment to defendants diagnosed with mental disorders, with the possibility of having charges dismissed upon successful completion.
Neha Patel and a psychologist testified to Patel's mental health struggles leading up to the crash, citing episodes of psychosis and delusions. They emphasized the potential for rehabilitation and the importance of addressing his underlying mental health condition.
The court will decide whether Dharmesh Patel qualifies for the diversion program or if the case will proceed to trial. If he is accepted into the program and completes it successfully, his charges would be dismissed, offering hope for his rehabilitation and reunification with his family.
