Tesla driver who plunged his family off California cliff did so on purpose, officials say
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The driver, his wife and their two children were rescued after going over the 250-foot cliff in San Mateo County. The driver will be booked on attempted murder counts
By Phil Helsel | A California man intentionally drove a Tesla off a 250-foot cliff in an attempt to kill his family, officials said Tuesday.
The driver and his wife and children survived and were rescued Monday at Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County, the California Highway Patrol said.
Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 41, of Pasadena, was arrested and will be booked on attempted murder and child abuse charges once he is out of a hospital, according to the highway patrol.
The rescue involved firefighters who rappelled down the cliff to rescue the two children, 4 and 7, and a helicopter crew who rescued the two adults from the vehicle, officials said.
The Tesla was between 250 and 300 feet down, according to the CHP.
“Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act,” the agency said in a statement.
Brian Pottenger, incident commander for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said that witnesses called 911 after the crash around 10:50 a.m.
He said it was “very, very rare” for people to survive such a steep fall and the children’s car seats may have saved their lives.
“We were actually very shocked when we found survivable victims in the vehicle. So, that actually was a hopeful moment for us,” Pottenger said.
