OAN Annyatama Bhowmik
UPDATED 5:20 PM PT – Wednesday, January 4, 2023
A California doctor faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and child abuse, after he allegedly drove his Tesla, with three other passengers inside, off of a cliff in Northern California on Monday.
The Tesla was heading south on Highway 1 just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnel, between Pacifica and Montara in Northern California, when it swerved off the road on Monday morning.
All four passengers survived but were transported to the hospital with serious injuries after the 250 foot fall.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Dharmesh A. Patel was driving the car along the coastal road at the time when it had overturned at the Devil’s Slide. The report showed that Patel was accompanied by his wife and two children who were 7 and 4 years of age.
The 41-year-old, who has been accused of intentionally driving off a cliff has been arrested but is still undergoing treatment for his injuries. Once he is released from the hospital, he is set to be taken to the San Mateo Jail.
“CHP investigators worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene. Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.” The CHP staid in a statement.
The authorities also stated that the electric vehicle had both an automatic (self-driving), and a manual feature. But regardless of the driving mode that the vehicle was in at the time, authorities claimed that it “does not appear to be a contributing factor in this event.”
According to the California Highway Patrol, this is an ongoing investigation and no further details are being released at the this time.