Houston
The wife of a doctor of Indian descent, 41, suspected of trying to kill his two children and other family members in a car accident in the US, has stated that she does not want him to face charges. Doctor Dharmesh A. Patel of Pasadena, California, is charged with purposefully driving his wife and their two kids in a Tesla off a cliff in California last month.
Joshua Bentley, Patel's attorney, claims that Patel's wife, who first told rescue workers that the accused intentionally drove down a cliff, has stated that she does not want him to be arrested. Last week, Bentley testified in court that the key witness, later identified as his client's wife, expressed hope that Patel wouldn't face charges. On January 2, he allegedly purposefully drove his Tesla off the Pacific Coast Highway with his wife, and their two kids, ages 5 and 7, inside.
Fortunately, all four of them made it through the fall and were saved. The younger child managed to escape with minor injuries, but Patel, his wife, and the older child sustained terrible injuries. Firefighters used a rappelling technique to recover the two kids, while a helicopter crew saved the two adults from the car.
According to San Mateo Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaff, the prosecution has enough evidence to support the allegations brought against Patel. A court reinstated a no-contact order against Patel that had earlier been lifted and changed to a no-harassment order at the hearing on Thursday. He is unable to communicate with his family as a result. The preliminary hearing for Patel, who is being held without bond, is set for March 20.