Patel’s wife, Neha, is now urging officials not to prosecute him for his crimes, local reports say. However, at the time of the crash she told first responders that her husband “tried to kill us.”
However, San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Sean Gallagher said prosecutors have “sufficient evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt” whether or not Neha wants to cooperate with the charge. He added it is common for victims of domestic violence to experience difficulty in cooperating with criminal cases in which they are the victim.
FILE - This undated photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office shows Dharmesh Patel. The Tesla driver accused of trying to kill his wife and two young children by driving off a Northern California cliff has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and domestic violence. A judge ordered Patel held without bail at a hearing Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. (San Mateo County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)
© AP Photo / San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
According to The Women’s Safe House, there are several stages that a victim of domestic violence will go through when attempting to leave an abusive relationship. Acknowledging the abuse usually comes after a stage of denial that the abuse has even occurred.
Neha is also 41. The couple’s children are ages four and seven. Neha and her children suffered injuries during the crash, but were able to survive the 250-foot plunge off Devil’s Slide cliff.
Patel faces three counts of premeditated and deliberate attempted murder, said Gallagher: “We believe the evidence will show him intentionally driving his family off a cliff with the intent to kill them," including no evidence of skid marks or signs of breaking before Patel drove off the cliff.
Patel has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has not been allowed to have contact with Neha and their children after the judge agreed with a prosecution request. If convicted, Patel will be sentenced to life in prison.