No Jail Time Doctor Accused Of Driving Car Off Peninsula Cliff

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Pasadena radiologist accused of intentionally driving a car carrying his wife and children over a cliff on the Pacific Coast Highway will avoid a trial and prison time, according to San Mateo County prosecutors.

Dharmesh Patel, 42, has been jailed since early last year after prosecutors allege he plunged his Tesla over a 330-foot cliff at Devil's Slide, roughly 20 miles south of San Francisco. Patel, his wife, and their two young children survived the crash.

According to The Mercury News, witnesses told first responders the vehicle did not appear to slow down before it left the highway, and Patel's wife said he was depressed and "did it on purpose." Patel pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted murder, claiming his car had tire issues.

As NBC News reports, a San Mateo County judge ruled last week that there was sufficient evidence that Patel suffered from a major depressive disorder and qualified for a mental health diversion program. According to CBS News, Patel willremain in county jail for several weeks and will be on GPS monitoring upon release.

Under the court's order, he will be largely confined to his parents' Belmont home, except to attend court and treatment, and will be barred from driving and using alcohol or drugs.