Dharmesh Patel, 41, was charged after being released from a hospital and booked into jail.
According to the complaint, the charges include enhancements for domestic violence and inflicting great bodily injury.
Patel’s Tesla plunged from the section of Pacific Coast Highway known as the Devil's Slide, notorious for being the site of fatal car accidents. After the crash, the family was trapped inside and presumed dead until firefighters spotted someone moving inside. A dramatic rescue effort was launched. “We were actually very shocked when we found survivable victims in the vehicle. So that actually was a hopeful moment for us,” CalFire battalion chief Brian PottengerThe California Highway Patrol initially believed that the crash was caused by the Tesla’s self-driving mode; however, based on the evidence collected, they quickly turned their attention to Patel.
“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,” a Jan. 3 statementPatel is expected to appear in court on Feb. 9, according to booking records by the San Mateo County sheriff’s office.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Driver charged with attempted murder in Devil’s Slide crash that seriously injured wife, childrenDharmesh A. Patel, 42, faces attempted murder charges after he allegedly drove off a cliff in a car containing his family with intent to kill.
Read more »
Tesla driver is charged with attempted murder after allegedly plunging his family off a California cliff on purposeDharmesh Patel, 41, was behind the wheel of a car that went off Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County on Jan. 2, nearly killing himself, his wife and their two children.
Read more »
Pasadena doctor accused of intentionally driving Tesla with family inside off cliff faces murder chargesDharmesh Patel faces three attempted murder charges after officials said he intentionally drove his Tesla off a cliff in Northern California with his wife and two kids inside.
Read more »
Driver in California cliff crash that injured his two young children and his wife moved from hospital to jailThe driver of a car that plunged 250 feet off a treacherous cliff in northern California, injuring his two young children and his wife, was released from the hospital and jailed on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, authorities say.
Read more »
Sheriff: Father kidnapped son's teenage girlfriend to get her away from other boysAlexander McCormick faces charges of aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony, and...
Read more »
Father of 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery indicted on second-degree murder, other chargesLast week's indictment accuses him of 'repeatedly striking Harmony Montgomery on the head with a closed fist,' causing her death.
Read more »