The case of Dharmesh Patel, the California doctor accused of attempting to kill his family by driving his Tesla off a cliff, took a poignant turn as new details emerged. At a recent hearing, psychologist Mark Patterson revealed that Patel had been struggling with major depressive disorder and psychotic features at the time of the 2023 crash.
Patterson testified that Patel was experiencing hallucinations and delusions, fueled by distressing news headlines about the war in Ukraine and the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. Among Patel’s greatest fears was the safety of his children, intricately linked to concerns about figures like Jeffrey Epstein. Despite the gravity of the situation, Patterson expressed optimism about Patel’s prospects for recovery, citing his progress over the past year and his low risk for harming others. Should a judge grant the request, Patel would participate in a mental health diversion program, offering treatment instead of facing trial on charges of first-degree attempted murder.
This potential treatment, overseen by Stanford psychiatric clinician James Armontrout, would involve outpatient therapy and regular meetings to support Patel’s journey towards healing. The case highlights the complexities surrounding mental health and the importance of compassionate approaches to treatment and justice.
