A man from Pasadena, California, Dharmesh Arvind Patel, is facing three counts of attempted murder for allegedly driving his family off a cliff on California’s scenic Highway 1. The 41-year-old was arraigned at the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City and was ordered to remain in jail without bail. Patel’s wife and two children were rescued from the mangled vehicle and transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The incident took place on January 2nd near the Tom Lantos tunnels, with the California Highway Patrol being dispatched to the scene around 10:50 a.m. local time. After an investigation, Patel was arrested for attempted murder and child abuse. The wreckage of the white Tesla was found some 300 feet down the cliff.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe held a press conference after Patel’s arraignment to provide an update on the investigation. Evidence shows that there were no signs of braking or skid marks before the car went off the cliff, and eyewitnesses have told investigators that the vehicle’s brake lights did not illuminate as it drove off the edge. Prosecutors have also recovered video from surveillance cameras near the Tom Lantos tunnels that support their belief that the act was intentional.
Patel’s wife suffered major injuries in the crash and remains hospitalized, while their daughter was badly hurt and their son sustained only bruises. The motive for the attempted murder remains under investigation, but the district attorney’s office views the case as domestic violence. The judge granted a no harassment order instead of the prosecutors’ request for a no contact order.
If convicted, Patel could face a maximum sentence of life in prison with the special circumstances. He is due back in court on February 9th and is expected to enter a plea. The wreckage of the car is still being examined by the California Highway Patrol to determine if any malfunctions occurred, although the district attorney does not anticipate this to happen.
In conclusion, the attempted murder case of Patel is still under investigation, but the evidence gathered so far points towards a horrific and intentional act. The victims, including his wife and two young children, are recovering from serious injuries and the motive remains unknown. The public will not have access to the footage from the surveillance cameras. Patel faces a possible life sentence if convicted.
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