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Doctor accused of driving family off Devil's slide can live with parents

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Published  July 9, 2024 6:20am PDT
San Mateo County
KTVU FOX 2

Doctor accused of driving family off Devil's Slide get mental health diversion

Dr. Dharmesh Patel, who is accused of driving his family off a cliff near Devil’s Slide early last year, was cleared to be released from jail Monday as part of a mental health diversion program.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - The doctor from Southern California, accused of deliberately driving his car off Devil's Slide with his family inside, on Monday got the clearance to enter a mental health diversion program and live with his parents in Belmont. 

Dharmesh Patel, 43, had been charged with attempted murder in the crash last year after his Tesla plunged more than 250 feet off a cliff near Pacifica.

He survived, along with his wife and two young children.

Last month, San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Susan Jakubowski said Patel was eligible to participate in the mental health program.

Patel will spend the next two years at his parents' home on the Peninsula and will wear GPS monitoring while he undergoes treatment.

If he successfully completes the program, the three attempted murder charges filed against him would be dropped.