Devil’s Slide crash: Dharmesh Patel’s wife wants him freed

Wife of Indian American doctor who drove Tesla off cliff tells the court, ‘We Need Him in Our Lives’

The wife of Dharmesh Patel, who was sitting next to him when the Indian American radiologist allegedly drove the family’s Tesla off a 250-foot cliff near Devil’s Slide last year now wants him freed and sent home.

Neha Patel testified for the first time Thursday during a hearing over whether her husband should have his case removed from criminal court, in a scenario that would see him released from jail and put into a mental health diversion program, according to media reports.

RELATED: Tesla Devil’s Slide crash: jail or hospital for Dharmesh Patel? (April 25, 2024)

Her voice often cracking, she blamed Patel’s actions that day on “a mental health episode beyond any of our understanding or control” and said “things will be different” if her husband is allowed to return home to their family, according to the Mercury News.

“We need him in our life,” said Neha Patel, who was not identified by name in court and addressed the courtroom via a video call. “We’re not a family without him.”

She emphasized Thursday that she “will not hesitate to seek help when needed” under the plan that relies, in part, on Dharmesh Patel’s family to report any signs of further mental instability to the court. “The health and safety of my family is of paramount importance,” she said.

She also spoke at length about the impact of her husband’s absence on their family, while he faces charges and is held in a San Mateo County jail without bail. Noting that Friday is the couple’s 16th wedding anniversary, she called him a “kind and altruistic” man who “has been my best friend for more than 25 years.”

READ: Tesla Devil’s Slide crash doctor barred from practicing medicine (June 15, 2023)

She recalled how he bought dinner for his colleagues and poinsettias for neighbors during the winter holidays. She said she has often found her daughter crying at night over her father’s absence, while her son has asked why it’s “taking so long” for his dad to return home.

“He wished daddy would magically appear on St. Patrick’s Day when he saw a rainbow,” she said, adding that the boy was “heartbroken” when that didn’t happen. “Seeing my kids in emotional pain is one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure.”

Dharmesh was charged with a count of attempted murder for each passenger and has been jailed since. Doctors testifying in his defense have argued that he is fit for mental health diversion and that the crash was probably a result of his major depressive disorder and a psychotic episode.

READ: Tesla Devil’s Slide crash driver charged with attempted murder (January 31, 2023)

Mental health diversion would mean that he would be released from jail and be placed under a treatment plan by a supervising doctor for two years. If he were to violate the treatment plan or other conditions of release, his case would be returned to court. If he followed the plan, his case would be dropped.

Patel testified at length about the effect her husband’s absence has had on the family, calling him a “kind and altruistic” man who “has been my best friend for more than 25 years,” according to the Mercury News.

Her testimony was surprising as she told paramedics after the crash that her husband purposefully drove off the cliff Jan 2, 2023, at Devil’s Slide on Highway 1.“‘He intentionally tried to kill us,’” Patel told paramedics, according to the San Mateo County district attorney.

Despite her testimony, District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe opposes the diversion of the case. A doctor for the prosecution testified Thursday that Dharmesh Patel suffers from schizoaffective disorder and that his case should not be diverted.

A judge has not yet ruled on the motion.