iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
An Indian American Dharmesh A Patel has been charged with attempted murder and child abuse by California after a car he was driving plummeted over 250 feet off a San Mateo highway in California.
According to Highway Patrol officials, Patel, a Pasadena resident, was driving the vehicle when it went over the side of a coastal road at a spot known as the Devil’s Slide. In the car were another adult and two children, who have not been identified. All four survived the crash, but were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Official documents show that Patel was accomapanied by a 41-year-old woman, and the two children were a girl (7) and a boy (4). It was not immediately clear what their relationship to Patel is.
On Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that Patel was placed under arrest even while he was being treated for his injuries. He will be transferred to San Mateo County Jail after he is discharged from the hospital.
According to an official statement, “CHP investigators worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene. Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.”
Officials said that Patel was arrested at 9 pm Monday and that he did not resist arrest.
CHP officials added, “There has been no determination as to what driving mode the Tesla was in.” The electric vehicles have a self-driving feature and a manual option, but whichever one was in use, CHP said the driving mode “does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident.”
“This remains an ongoing investigation and no further information is being released at this time,” the CHP said. It has asked that witnesses should contact their office with any information.
Photo Courtesy:[@SMCSheriff]
