The driver of a Tesla that plunged more than 250 feet off a California cliff on Monday and had to be rescued along with another adult and two children is now facing multiple charges after troopers say the plummet was on purpose.
The California Highway Patrol in San Francisco said Dharmesh Patel, 41, of Pasadena, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse on Tuesday. In addition to Patel, in the car were a 4-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy, and another adult, whom the New York Times reported are Patel’s two children and wife. Patel and the second adult reportedly suffered traumatic injuries, and the two children were rushed to the hospital by ambulance with musculoskeletal injuries, according to Fox News.
ASTRONAUT FROM FIRST SUCCESSFUL APOLLO MISSION DEAD AT 90
After investigators worked throughout the night, they “developed probable cause” to believe the plummet off the cliff near “Devil’s Slide” was intentional, the highway patrol said.
Troopers added that there was no way to determine what driving mode the Tesla was in — authorities previously said they did not believe the car was in autopilot — but the mode did not appear to play a factor in the crash.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
After Patel is treated for his injuries and released from the hospital, he will be booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
The incident is still being investigated, and authorities say they are not releasing any more information at this time.
