Radiologist’s father gave neighbors poinsettias days before he is accused of trying to kill wife and children

The California doctor, who was charged with the attempted murder of his wife and their two young children by intentionally driving his Tesla off the side of a 250-foot cliff, gave his neighbors Christmas stars on Christmas Eve – days before the crash.

Footage from a neighbor’s doorbell camera shows Dr. Dharmesh A. Patel, 42, crossing the street to bring the red plants to his neighbors in Pasadena, although the family was not home at the time.

The move was nothing unusual for Patel, who was often spotted pushing his four-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter in their stroller with his wife Neha, 41. The radiologist even gave the neighbors biscuits, who described the family at the end of the cul-de-sac as “beautiful and idyllic”.

But that image of a happy family was shattered when Patel, a radiologist at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Pasadena, was accused of deliberately trying to kill his wife and two children.

The California doctor, who was charged with the attempted murder of his wife and their two young children by intentionally driving his Tesla off the side of a 250ft cliff, gave his neighbors poinsettias (pictured) – days before the crash

The move was nothing unusual for Patel, who was often spotted pushing his four-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter with his wife Neha, 41, in their pram (pictured together).

The radiologist even gave away cookies to neighbors who described the family down the cul-de-sac as “beautiful and quaint.” Pictured: The family home in Pasadena

Patel is accused of intentionally driving his white Tesla Model Y off a cliff known as Devil’s Slide near San Francisco on Monday during a trip north.

Miraculously, all four family members – Patel, his wife Neha and their children, ages four and seven – survived without serious injury.

The doctor and his family remain at Stanford Hospital and Patel will be committed to the San Mateo County Jail upon his release on suspicion of attempted murder and child molestation, the California Highway Patrol said.

Details have now emerged about the family’s seemingly “idyllic” lifestyle – Patel was often spotted playing with his children and they sent out Christmas cards with their smiling family on the front.

“They’re a beautiful, idyllic family, no hint of trouble,” Roger Newmark, who has lived in the quiet cul-de-sac for more than 40 years, told the LA Times. “It’s so weird because he’s a great guy. Maybe it was a moment of madness.’

Police were also never called to domestic disturbances at the Patel home – but in 2017, officers were called nine times to her address in response to burglar alarms and reports of suspicious people nearby.

According to records from the LA Times, the incidents were classified as false alarms or canceled by police. The two incidents involving suspects were reported as “disappeared upon arrival”.

Patel is accused of intentionally driving his white Tesla Model Y off a cliff known as Devil’s Slide near San Francisco on Monday during a trip north. Miraculously, all four family members – Patel, his wife Neha and their children, ages four and seven (pictured together) – survived without serious injury

The white Tesla can be seen at the base of the cliff in Devils Side on Monday after the crash

Rescuers are working to recover a wrecked Tesla sedan that fell off a cliff Monday in Devil’s Slide, San Mateo County, California

The car was traveling northbound on Highway 1 near San Francisco on Monday morning. Witnesses said they saw Patel do a U-turn and drive onto the unpaved area before falling down the cliff

Aside from the reported incidents in 2017, life seemed “idyllic” for the Patels, and their neighbors said the couple are always interested in speaking to them.

Ring camera video provided to the LA Times shows Patel delivering poinsettias to his neighbors on Christmas Eve. He was heard talking to a woman who was housekeeping for a friend who was away for the holidays.

“I’m Dharmesh,” he told the woman, adding that he lives across from where his white Tesla is parked in front of the garage. “I can just let it go [the poinsettia] at the main entrance?’

A neighbour, Sarah Walker, told the newspaper: “He’s just such a presence. Dharmesh and I waved hello, but he always stopped by and chatted. He was always cheerful and ready to talk.”

This image, taken from video provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, shows a helicopter rescue after a Tesla fell off a cliff in Northern California

View from the rescue helicopter after a vehicle carrying two adults and two children went over a cliff Monday in Devil’s Slide, San Mateo County, California

Rescuers initially hailed the family’s survival as a “miracle” after the Tesla sedan plunged down an infamous cliff along the Pacific Coast Highway near an area known for deadly wrecks known as Devil’s Slide on Monday.

Firefighters had to cut the family out of the rubble. They used a rope system to pull the children up the cliff in a rescue cage while the parents were hauled up by helicopter.

Initially, there were questions about whether the car famed for its self-driving technology had gone rogue and accidentally taken the family off the road.

Now some are questioning whether the vehicle, which has airbags next to and in front of the two front seats, really saved them.

The move was nothing unusual for Patel, who was often spotted pushing his four-year-old son and seven-year-old daughter with his wife Neha, 41, in their pram (pictured together).

On Tuesday, police charged Patel with attempted manslaughter and child molestation, claiming the incident was a failed suicide attempt.

The case brought back memories of tragedy in 2018, when a woman with her wife and their six adopted children intentionally drove off another Northern California cliff in an SUV. All were killed.

The Mendocino County crash came just days after Washington state authorities launched an investigation after allegations that Jennifer Hart’s children were being neglected.

Investigators are looking into Patel’s motive and police would not say if detectives were able to question him.

“I have no idea what his thought pattern was,” he said.

Investigators will not have to bring the case to prosecutors until after Patel is taken to prison.

“They are not under arms because suspect Patel remains hospitalized and therefore allows them to investigate the case more thoroughly,” San Mateo County Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said in a statement.

Patel is a Physician of Radiology at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills area of ​​Los Angeles.

“Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is deeply saddened to learn of a traffic accident involving one of our physicians and his family,” the statement said. “We are very grateful that there were no serious injuries. We will not respond further as this incident is under investigation.’