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This is the first I've heard of a possible mechanical issue. But given how this is relatively new technology, and thinking there are many places along that highway with no guardrails and a long drop, it certainly sounds as possible as a man intentionally killing is family.
Neha Patel was still conscious when paramedics rescued her from a white Tesla that had gone off Highway 1 over the cliff at Devil's Slide and tumbled hundreds of feet down to the beach.
As they rescued her, Patel made statements to paramedics that helped lead to the three attempted murder charges filed Monday against her husband, Dharmesh Patel, 41, who was driving the Tesla when the crash took place.
She said very simply this was not an accident," Wagstaffe added.
His wife and two children have also since been released from the hospital.
Wagstaffe clarified that his prosecutors have not interviewed Neha, but that they have enough to file charges without her statement.
On top of Neha's statement, prosecutors also secured video from a tunnel just before the crash site that shows Patel "making a sharp right turn over the cliff," Wagstaffe said. Prosecutors have also spoken to two witnesses in cars that were behind the Patels who will testify that they did not see the car attempt to brake before going over the cliff, he said.
Well, this clarifies a few things. Thanks for posting. This is Patel's second marriage that he was unhappy with, and sought to end. Unfortunately this time, he didn't choose legal means to do it. Maybe he felt he couldn't afford the economic fallout from another divorce, this time--with kids to support? Hopefully they have him on suicide watch in jail.
So far she has not spoken to Police, & has retained an attorney. I hope she will co operate with police & prosecutors
Wonder why she hasn't spoken to LE yet. It's not her injuries stopping her.
They may not even need her statement, according to the link in your post, they have video evidence of him driving over the cliff plus witnesses who saw it.
The decision to charge Patel was based on a combination of witness testimony, video evidence taken from Tom Lantos Tunnel, and an incriminating statement his wife made to paramedics during the rescue, Wagstaffe said.
“We have video showing the movement of the car after it left the tunnel and went up the hill, turned off of the road and then turned to go down the cliff,” Wagstaffe said.
A witness around the time of the crash told NBC Bay Area they saw the car go over the cliff.
"And I can see in my rear-view mirror this car that just go over the edge and straight down," the witness told the television station.
So far, the witnesses and video have provided the most compelling evidence against Patel, Wagstaffe.
“We’re hoping to learn more when the wife is hopefully available for an interview,” Wagstaffe said.
The extent to which she plans to cooperate with prosecutors, however, remains an open question. She has retained her own attorney, Wagstaffe said.
“Her attorney has said that until she is physically ready to do so, they are declining an interview,” Wagstaffe said, noting that she “hasn’t said no.”
“I am hopeful that she will want to help all of us get to the truth about what happened,” he said.
Wagstaffe said his office views the case as a domestic violence incident. Davis, the Deputy DA assigned to the case, specializes in domestic violence, Wagstaffe said.
Why? Because was trying to kill them and also kill himself?
Yeah, but I am just being cynical. Insurance doesn't cover an "accident" it it's an intentional act. In other words, if you buy a car and insure it, and then destroy it on purpose, it is not covered. Like how life insurance won't pay for suicide.
But it's California, so I may be wrong.
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