San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sharon Cho dismissed the charges on July 6 after Dharmesh Patel completed a two-year treatment program supervised by a Stanford University psychiatrist and a family therapist, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Patel, 45, had faced three counts of attempted murder after prosecutors said he intentionally drove his Tesla off along the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Devil’s Slide,” on Jan. 2, 2023.
The vehicle plunged about 250 feet down the coastal cliff. Patel, his wife, and the couple's two children—ages 4 and 7 at the time—all survived the crash, an outcome first responders described as an "absolute miracle."
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said the court was legally required to dismiss the charges after Patel completed the diversion program.
"The judge was required by the law to dismiss the charges," Wagstaffe said.
Patel entered the diversion program in 2024 after a judge found he qualified under California law. Defense attorneys argued he was experiencing episodic major depression with hallucinations at the time of the crash, and that his mental illness made him eligible for diversion.
Prosecutors opposed the request, arguing Patel posed a significant danger and that attempted murder should not qualify for diversion under the law.
Wagstaffe said his office continues to support changes to California's mental health diversion law to make attempted murder ineligible for diversion, saying prosecutors and other California district attorneys are working with lawmakers to amend the statute.
"We'll try again in the future. We're not giving up," he said.
Patel remained in jail without bail until 2024, when he was released to outpatient treatment under conditions that included GPS monitoring, surrendering his driver's license and passport, and having weekly checks at court.
According to prosecutors, Patel told a psychiatrist after his arrest that he was depressed and experiencing delusions, including fears that his children would be kidnapped and trafficked.
During earlier court proceedings, Patel's wife testified that she had forgiven her husband and opposed criminal prosecution. She said their children missed their father and that she wanted him to return home.
According to the district attorney, the court later allowed Patel to spend time with his family and take them on supervised drives during treatment.
The California Medical Board suspended Patel from practicing medicine after his arrest. The board said Tuesday that Patel surrendered his California medical license in December.