Prosecutors who’re investigating whether or not the motive force of a Tesla deliberately crashed the automobile three weeks in the past off the facet of Freeway 1, almost killing his relations, are actually additionally exploring whether or not mechanical issues may have precipitated the incident, the San Mateo County district legal professional informed The Occasions.
The motive force of the white Tesla, Dharmesh Patel, was initially arrested by California Freeway Patrol on suspicion of tried homicide and baby endangerment for allegedly purposefully driving his spouse and two youngsters off the freeway at Satan’s Slide in Northern California. However Dist. Atty. Steve Wagstaffe mentioned his workplace can also be investigating whether or not the crash may have been brought on by a problem with the automobile.
“Did the brakes fail? Had been the brakes working? Had been there every other mechanical malfunctions that will have led to him not having the ability to cease the car?” Wagstaffe mentioned in an interview. “We’re having the automobile checked out from high to backside.”
Prosecutors are nonetheless within the early phases of the investigation, Wagstaffe mentioned.
After analyzing the case, investigators with the California Freeway Patrol “developed possible trigger to imagine this incident was an intentional act” and positioned Patel beneath arrest, the CHP mentioned in a press release on the time of the arrest.
Patel stays hospitalized.
The crash occurred Jan. 2 when Patel was driving the automobile along with his spouse, Neha, and their two youngsters, ages 4 and seven. The household survived the 250- to 300-foot fall, however the celebration of their rescue rapidly darkened when Patel was arrested at Stanford Hospital, the place he was being handled for accidents sustained within the crash.
Patel has since been transferred to San Mateo Medical Middle, Wagstaffe mentioned.
The case alarmed neighbors, who knew the Patels as an “idyllic” household that lived on the finish of a quiet cul-de-sac in Pasadena.
