A California man who prosecutors say intentionally drove his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside is facing attempted murder charges. The family 'miraculously' survived the crash, prosecutors say.
After interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene, investigators developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act and placed the driver -- identified as Patel -- under arrest for attempted murder and child abuse. Investigators were unable to determine what driving mode the Tesla was in at the time, but "that does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident," the California Highway Patrol said in a Jan. 3 press release.
After Patel's arraignment, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe held a brief press conference to give an update on the investigation. He said evidence shows there were no signs of braking or skid marks before the car plunged off the cliff. Eyewitnesses who were driving behind Patel's Tesla at the time have told investigators that the vehicle's brake lights did not illuminate as it turned and drove off the edge, according to Wagstaffe.
The California Highway Patrol is still examining the wrecked car to make sure no malfunction occurred, in which case the charges would be changed, according to Wagstaffe, who noted that he does not anticipate this to happen. "By some miracle that I don't understand, all of them have survived. I'm glad for that," Wagstaffe told reporters on Monday afternoon. "But it doesn't change [what] we've charged him with."
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