The man accused of purposefully driving his Tesla off a California cliff on Monday is a radiologist, and the passengers in the crashed vehicle were his wife and two children, multiple outlets report.
Dharmesh A. Patel’s bio on the U.S. News and World Report website says that Patel works as a radiologist in Mission Hills, California, and is “affiliated with Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.”
“He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years,” the site states.
SAN MATEO COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities on Tuesday arrested the driver of a Tesla that plunged off a cliff near Devil’s Slide a day earlier on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse.
The driver, Dharmesh Patel, and his three passengers – another adult and two children – suffered serious injuries in the crash Monday morning just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release.
Patel, of Pasadena, was still being treated for his injuries Tuesday, the CHP said, adding that he will be booked into county jail once he is released. An update on the passengers’ conditions was not immediately available.
“CHP investigators worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene. Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act,” the CHP said.
One witness said the Tesla was headed south when it swerved and went over the cliff, according to Cecile Juliette, a spokesperson for Cal Fire San Mateo, one of the agencies called to the scene.
There was no guardrail at the spot where the sedan went off the cliff, officials said.
