The Tesla driver who purposely drove his family off a Northern California cliff has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and domestic violence.
According to reports, a judge has ordered Dharmesh Patel to be held without bail.
On Jan 2, the car was driven off the Devil’s Slide along the Pacific Coast Highway south of San Francisco, where he and his family were seriously injured.
The family, which consists of Patel’s 41-year-old wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 4-year-old son, whose names have not been disclosed, had to be cut out of the rubble by firefighters.
Both children and Patel’s wife were hospitalized due to their severe injuries.
According to a statement from San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, Patel also faces enhancements for great bodily harm.
“We do believe the evidence establishes the necessary intent to kill,” Wagstaffe told the San Francisco Chronicle.
The California Highway Patrol reported that Patel was later arrested after its investigators “developed probable cause to believe this incident was an intentional act.”
So far, authorities have not revealed the cause of the crash.
On Thursday, A judge restricted Patel’s communication with his wife and children.
Patel is being charged with three counts of attempted murder and domestic violence. If found guilty, he could spend his life in jail.
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