Tesla Devil’s Slide crash: California regulators bar accused doctor from practicing medicine
California medical regulators aren’t taking any chances on a Southern California radiologist accused of driving his Tesla sedan off a cliff near Pacifica in a desperate bid to kill his family.
The Medical Board of California moved this week to bar Dharmesh Patel from practicing medicine — especially if he were released on bail — while he faces numerous attempted murder charges related to the Jan. 2 crash. The move was necessary, regulators argued in court filings this week, because Patel represented “an alarming danger to the public” in light of an “impairment of cognitive abilities needed to safely practice medicine.”
The request, which was made with the help of an attorney with the California Attorney General’s office, was approved by San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Rachel Holt at a hearing Monday.
Patel, 41, remains held without bail in the San Mateo County jail since his arrest.
Investigators suspect Patel drove his family off a cliff on Jan. 2 near Devil’s Slide along Highway 1, sending the car plunging 250 feet onto a rocky beach. Patel suffered injuries to his leg and foot, and his wife suffered more severe injuries. While their 4-year-old child escaped with only bruises, their 7-year-old child was more seriously injured. Both children were released from the hospital within a month of the crash.
Patel has pleaded not guilty, while claiming the family’s Tesla had been experiencing tire issues. He stopped three times that day while driving to the Devil’s Slide area to put air in his left-rear tire, despite no sensors warning of low tire pressure, Patel’s wife later told investigators.
Rather, witnesses say the car never appeared to brake as it flew off the highway — accounts that were bolstered by video from the Tom Lantos Tunnels, court documents show. Investigators also say Tesla’s self-driving features did “not appear to be a contributing factor” in the incident.
In arguing that Patel be barred from practicing medicine, regulators cited comments made by Patel’s wife after she was rescued from the crumpled car. She told one emergency worker that Patel “did it on purpose,” adding later that “he drove off.”
“He’s depressed,” said Patel’s wife, according to court documents. “He’s a doctor. He said he was going to drive off the cliff. He purposely drove off.”
A preliminary hearing set for this week was delayed while attorneys continue to review evidence in the case.