An Indian-American doctor is accused of driving his Tesla off a cliff in California while his family was inside. He says he was having a mental episode and thought he was protecting them. A doctor in Pasadena named Dr. Dharmesh Patel is being held on three counts of attempted murder. According to the psychologists who testified, Patel was afraid that his children would be sex traded.

Mark Patterson, a psychologist who testified for Patel's defense, said that Patel was paranoid and delusional because he was worried about the safety of his children in a world where there were problems like fentanyl and the war in Ukraine.

In January 2023, Patel's Tesla went off the cliff of Devil Slide, but his wife and kids were okay. At first, Patel said it was because of flat tires, but his wife says he told her he was going to kill himself because he was depressed.

Patel is pleading not guilty and wants a mental health alternative, which could mean getting help instead of going to jail. Prosecutors disagree, saying that his description of "schizoaffective" does not include psychotic traits, which is against distraction.

The case is part of California's mental health diversion program, which aims to keep mentally ill offenders out of jail. When the case starts up again on May 2, the prosecutors will make their case. The judge will decide what part Patel's mental state played in the alleged crime and how dangerous he might be.