A Tesla driver was detained and accused with purposefully driving off a cliff in Northern California in an attempt to murder his family.
The California Highway Patrol said in a news statement Tuesday that officials got a report of a car over the cliff side on Highway 1 about 20 miles south of downtown San Francisco at around 10:50 a.m. local time Monday. Two children, a 4-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, and two adults, all 41, escaped inside the white Tesla, which was around 250 to 300 feet down a cliff near to the Pacific Ocean.
The California Highway Patrol, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Coast Guard responded.
Firefighters rappelled down the cliff first, saving the youngsters, while a helicopter rescue technician was dropped to the area and assisted in the rescue of the adults. According to the Highway Patrol, the two individuals were flown to a nearby hospital by a Stanford Life Flight chopper.
“We come out here unfortunately all too often for things like this,” Coastside Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Brian Pottenger told local TV station KTVU. “And this was nothing short of a miracle today that they survived.”
Officials believe the event was planned and have arrested driver Dharmesh Patel of Pasadena, California, for attempted murder and child abuse.
“CHP investigators worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene,” the Highway Patrol said. “Based on the evidence collected, investigators developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.”
After being released from the hospital, Patel will be sent to the San Mateo County Jail.
The Tesla’s driving mode at the time of the disaster is unknown, but investigators said it “does not appear to be a significant factor” in the tragedy.
“This remains an ongoing investigation and no further information is being released at this time,” the Highway Patrol said.
After fleeing their house after a visit from social services, a couple drove themselves and their six adopted children down a cliff north of San Francisco in 2018. According to a complaint submitted by their neighbors, the youngsters were being denied meals by their parents.