Tesla Cliff-Plunge Driver Arrested On Suspicion Of Attempted Murder

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Southern California man was arrested Tuesday after investigators determined he drove a Tesla with his wife and their two young children from a coastal Peninsula cliff Monday, the California Highway Patrol said.

All four survived the 250-foot plunge in what authorities called a “miracle” rescue.

Dharmesh A. Patel, of Pasadena, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP said. He and his wife suffered non-life threatening injuries and were in critical condition as of Monday. The 4-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy were unharmed, authorities said.

This afternoon, deputies responded to a solo vehicle over the side of Hwy 1 south of the Tom Lantos tunnel. Two adults suffered non-life threatening injuries and two children were unharmed. Tremendous collaborative effort btwn SMSO, @CHP_GoldenGate and @calfireSCU pic.twitter.com/sVyKp6LSrc
— San Mateo County S.O (@SMCSheriff) January 3, 2023

Patel is being treated for his injuries and will be booked into San Mateo County Jail upon his release from the hospital, according to the CHP.

“Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act,” the CHP said in a news release.

The car went off Highway 1 just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels shortly before 11 a.m.

Several helicopters were sent to the scene to aid in the rescue, according to Cal Fire.

"There has been no determination as to what driving mode the Tesla was in; however, that does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident," the CHP said.

The Tesla sedan plummeted more than 250 feet from the highway and crashed into a rocky outcropping. It appears to have flipped a few times before landing on its wheels, wedged against the cliff just feet from the surf, according to Brian Pottenger, a battalion chief forCoastside Fire Protection District/Cal Fire.

Crashes along Devil’s Slide, a steep, rocky and winding coastal area about 15 miles (24.14 kilometers) south of San Francisco that’s between Pacifica and Montara, rarely end with survivors. On Monday, the victims were initially listed in critical condition but all four were conscious and alert when rescuers arrived.

“We go there all the time for cars over the cliff and they never live. This was an absolute miracle,” Pottenger said.

A witness told NBC Bay Area they saw the car go over the cliff."And I can see in my rear-view mirror this car that just go over the edge and straight down."

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the CHP - San Francisco Area at (415) 557-1094.

— Bay City News, The Associated Press and Patch staffer Gideon Rubin contributed to this report