Tesla Cliff-Plunge Driver Jailed On Attempted Murder Charges

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — A Southern California man who investigators said intentionally plunged his Tesla with his wife and two children aboard earlier this month has been jailed on attempted murder charges, according to the San Mateo County jail records.

Dharmesh A. Patel, 41 of Pasadena, was in custody as of Monday morning on first-degree attempted murder and child abuse charges, according to jail records. He is being held without bail.

All four survived the 250-foot plunge in what authorities called a “miracle” rescue. Patel and his wife suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were reportedly in critical condition in earlier this month. The 4-year-old girl and 9-year-old boy were unharmed, authorities said.

Patel is employed as a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, according to multiple published reports.

Patel is expected to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. Monday.

The car went off Highway 1 just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels shortly before 11 a.m. Jan. 2, and several helicopters were sent to the scene to aid in the rescue, according to Cal Fire.

The California Highway Patrol issued a statement at the time of Patel’s arrest indicating the crash was no accident.

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

"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 for Coastside 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," the witness said.

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

— Bay City News and The Associated Press contributed to this report