Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Intentionally Driving Tesla Off Cliff With Family Inside

A man who intentionally drove his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside has been charged with attempted murder charges in Redwood City, California.

Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 41, of Pasadena, was arraigned on three felony counts of attempted murder at the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City on Monday, Jan. 30 afternoon. However, he did not enter a plea and was ordered to remain held without bail in the San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City, ABC News reported.

Patel reportedly drove his Tesla off a cliff along an area of the Pacific Coast Highway known as the Devil's Slide on Jan. 2. Officers were reportedly dispatched to the scene about 15 miles south of San Francisco at approximately 10:50 a.m. local time. Upon arrival, they located a white Tesla some 300 feet down the cliff.

The car had reportedly dropped more than 250 feet and flipped several times before landing on its wheels, wedging against the cliff just feet from the surf, USA Today reported.

In the car, Patel was with his wife, their 7-year-old daughter, and their 4-year-old son. All four were then transported to a local hospital with "serious injuries." The four underwent treatment for the injuries and survived the accident.

After interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene, investigators developed probable cause to believe that the incident was an intentional act. Following this, they placed the driver, identified as Patel, under arrest for attempted murder and child abuse.

Patel works as a doctor in radiology at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills area of Los Angeles.

On Friday, Jan. 27, after Patel was released from the hospital, he was subsequently booked into the San Mateo County Jail. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office filed the attempted murder charges against Patel on Monday, Jan. 30. Two of three counts have domestic violence and great bodily injury enhancements.

Investigators have also recovered video from surveillance cameras near the Tom Lantos tunnels. The footage obtained from the surveillance cameras shows the Tesla driving out of a tunnel and off a cliff. Based on the evidence obtained, prosecutors are certain that the case was attempted murder. The district attorney revealed that the footage will not be released to the public.

If convicted on all charges against him, Patel could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison. He is due back in court on Feb. 9.