Authorities on Tuesday arrested the driver of a Tesla who plunged off a cliff near Devil’s Slide in northern California a day earlier on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse.
The driver, Dharmesh Patel of Pasadena, and his three passengers – another adult and two children – were seriously injured in the crash Monday morning just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release.
Patel was still being treated for his injuries on Tuesday, the CHP said, adding that he would be incarcerated in the county jail once released. An update on passenger conditions was not immediately available.
The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site.
The crash was reported around 10:50 a.m. Monday along Highway 1 just south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels. Officers arrived to find a white Tesla 250 to 300 feet below the roadway.
This image from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Twitter feed shows a helicopter at the scene of a Tesla vehicle that plunged off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 , near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office photo via Twitter)
This image from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Twitter feed shows the scene of a Tesla vehicle plunging off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office photo via Twitter)
This image from the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Twitter feed shows a helicopter at the scene of a Tesla vehicle that plunged off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway on Monday, 2 January 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Cal Fire San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit via Twitter)
This image from the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Twitter feed shows a helicopter at the scene of a Tesla vehicle that plunged off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway on Monday, 2 January 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Cal Fire San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit via Twitter)
This image from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Twitter feed shows the scene of a Tesla vehicle plunging off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office photo via Twitter)
This image from the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Twitter feed shows a helicopter at the scene of a Tesla vehicle that plunged off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway on Monday, 2 January 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Cal Fire San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit via Twitter)
This image from the Cal Fire San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit Twitter feed shows the scene of a Tesla vehicle plunging off a Northern California cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, near an area known as Devil’s Slide, leaving four people in critical condition, a fire official said. The CHP said it “developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act” after interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence at the crash site. The Tesla driver, a Pasadena native, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the CHP announced on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Cal Fire San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit via Twitter)
A witness said the Tesla was heading south when it swerved and came over the cliff, according to Cecile Juliette, spokeswoman for Cal Fire San Mateo, one of the agencies called to the scene.
Rescuers used ropes and baskets to get the children to the top of the cliff before helicopters arrived and lifted the adults. All four were then taken to hospital.
The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information can call the CHP San Francisco regional office at 415-557-1094.
Check back for updates.
California Daily Newspapers
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