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(NEW YORK) — A California man who prosecutors say intentionally drove his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside is facing attempted murder charges.

Dharmesh Arvind Patel, 41, of Pasadena, was arraigned on three felony counts of attempted murder at the San Mateo County Superior Court in Redwood City on Monday afternoon. He did not enter a plea and was ordered to remain held without bail in the San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City.

Patel’s attorney, Josh Bentley, did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Patel is accused of intentionally trying to kill his wife and two young children by driving their car off a cliff on California’s scenic Highway 1, just south of the Tom Lantos tunnels, on the morning of Jan. 2. The California Highway Patrol said its officers were dispatched to the scene about 15 miles south of San Francisco at approximately 10:50 a.m. local time and, upon arrival, located a white Tesla some 300 feet down the cliff.

First responders repelled down the cliff to rescue the occupants from the vehicle — two adults and two children. All four were then transported to a local hospital with “serious injuries,” according to the California Highway Patrol.

After interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence from the scene, investigators developed probable cause to believe the incident was an intentional act and placed the driver — identified as Patel — under arrest for attempted murder and child abuse. Investigators were unable to determine what driving mode the Tesla was in at the time, but “that does not appear to be a contributing factor in this incident,” the California Highway Patrol said in a Jan. 3 press release.

On Friday, Patel was released from the hospital and subsequently booked into the San Mateo County Jail. The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office filed the attempted murder charges against Patel on Monday. Two of three three counts have domestic violence and great bodily injury enhancements, according to the complaint obtained by ABC News.

After Patel’s arraignment, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe held a brief press conference to give an update on the investigation. He said evidence shows there were no signs of braking or skid marks before the car plunged off the cliff. Eyewitnesses who were driving behind Patel’s Tesla at the time have told investigators that the vehicle’s brake lights did not illuminate as it turned and drove off the edge, according to Wagstaffe.

Investigators have also recovered video from surveillance cameras near the Tom Lantos tunnels that show the Tesla driving out of a tunnel and off a cliff. Based on the evidence, prosecutors are certain that this was attempted murder. The footage will not be released to the public, the district attorney said.

The California Highway Patrol is still examining the car to make sure no malfunction occurred, in which case the charges would be changed, according to Wagstaffe, who noted that he does not anticipate this to happen.

Patel’s 41-year-old wife suffered “major injuries” from the crash and remains hospitalized, the district attorney said. Their 7-year-old daughter was also badly hurt, while their 4-year-old son “miraculously” sustained only bruises, according to Wagstaffe, who said that’s why there were no enhancements added to the third count of attempted murder.

“By some miracle that I don’t understand, all of them have survived. I’m glad for that,” Wagstaffe told reporters on Monday afternoon. “But it doesn’t change [what] we’ve charged him with.”

The district attorney said his office views the case as domestic violence. The judge denied prosecutors’ request for a no contact order and instead granted a no harassment order, according to Wagstaffe.

A potential motive remains under investigation.

“I mean, we know the motive was he didn’t want any of them to live any longer,” Wagstaffe added. “But what led to this, what has caused this, what was the trigger — that’s still under investigation. We’re hoping to learn more when the wife is hopefully available for an interview and is willing to speak with us at that point.”

If convicted on all charges with the special circumstances, Patel could be sentenced to a maximum of life in prison. He is due back in court on Feb. 9 and is expected to enter a plea, according to Wagstaffe.

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(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) — Two additional Memphis police officers, including the white officer seen encountering Tyre Nichols during his traffic stop, were relieved of duty and three Memphis Fire Department personnel were fired as the investigation into the Jan. 7 death of Nichols continues, officials announced Monday.

Officer Preston Hemphill and an unidentified officer were relieved of their duty a day after the incident, Memphis PD revealed Monday.

The Memphis Fire Department also announced Monday that it fired two EMTs and a lieutenant who responded to the scene for failing to properly assess Nichols as he lay beaten on the ground.

Hemphill, who is white, allegedly deployed his Taser during the confrontation. In his own body camera video, Hemphill is seen chasing Nichols down the road, but then turns back to the scene of the initial traffic stop.

Hemphill was heard on his body camera video saying twice, “I hope they stomp his a–.”

Hemphill and the unidentified seventh officer haven’t been fired or charged, according to the Memphis PD.

“Officer Preston Hemphill and [the] other officer’s actions and inactions have been and continue to be the subject of this investigation since its inception on January 8, 2023,” the department said in a statement.

Five other officers, who are all Black, were previously fired and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nichols’ beating at a traffic stop. Nichols, 29, died three days later.

Hemphill’s attorney, Lee Gerald, said earlier that Hemphill was the third officer at Nichols’ initial traffic stop. The first body camera footage released Friday was from Hemphill’s device.

“As per departmental regulations Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam,” Gerald said earlier in a statement. “He was never present at the second scene. He is cooperating with officials in this investigation.”

The Memphis FD revealed more details Monday about their members’ actions during the incident.

Memphis Fire Dispatch received a call from the Memphis PD at 8:31 p.m., to respond to a person pepper sprayed at the intersection of E. Raines Road and Ross Road, according to the fire department. An ambulance arrived at the scene and then directed to the second location where the cops encountered Nichols, the fire department said.

EMT-Basic Robert Long and EMT-Advanced JaMicheal Sandridge made the scene where Tyre Nichols was located handcuffed on the ground leaning against a police vehicle, while an unidentified ambulance driver and Lt. Michelle Whitaker remained inside the vehicle at approximately 8:41 p.m., the according to the fire department.

The department said the EMTs requested another ambulance to respond after their “initial interaction with Mr. Nichols,” and the additional ambulance didn’t arrive on the scene until 8:55 p.m.

“Our investigation has concluded that the two EMTs responded based on the initial nature of the call (person pepper sprayed) and information they were told on the scene and failed to conduct an adequate patient assessment of Mr. Nichols,” Memphis FD said in a statement.

Long, Sandridge and Whitaker were all fired for violating “numerous MFD Policies and Protocols,” the department said.

“Their actions or inactions on the scene that night do not meet the expectations of the Memphis Fire Department and are not reflective of the outstanding service the men and women of the Memphis Fire Department provide daily in our community,” Memphis FD said in a statement.

The three former fire department personnel haven’t been charged.

Nichols’ stepfather, Rodney Wells, told ABC News Live on Friday night that he thinks “everyone [who] was active in the whole scene … should be charged.”

Attorneys for Nichols’ family, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, said they were extremely disappointed that Hemphill was relieved of duty but not fired or charged. The lawyers are also questioning why the Memphis police did not immediately announce Hemphill’s name or that he was relieved of duty.

“Why is his identity and the role he played in Tyre’s death just now coming to light?” they said in a statement. “We have asked from the beginning that the Memphis Police Department be transparent with the family and the community — this news seems to indicate that they haven’t risen to the occasion. It certainly begs the question why the white officer involved in this brutal attack was shielded and protected from the public eye, and to date, from sufficient discipline and accountability. The Memphis Police Department owes us all answers.”

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said in a statement Monday that the investigation was ongoing and more charges could be filed.

“We are looking at all individuals involved in the events leading up to, during, and after the beating of Tyre Nichols,” the district attorney’s office said. “This includes the officer present at the initial encounter who has not — so far — been charged, Memphis Fire Department personnel, and persons who participated in preparing documentation of the incident afterward.”

“The DA’s Office worked extraordinarily swiftly but thoroughly to charge those whose offenses were plain and clear and directly contributed to the death of Mr. Nichols, but in no way is this investigation over,” the office added.

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(LAKELAND, Fla.) — A mass shooting in a Florida city has left 10 people wounded, the Lakeland Police Department announced on Monday.

According to police, two victims are critically injured and eight face non-life-threatening injuries.

“One is in surgery and the other is either in surgery or headed to surgery,” Lakeland Police Chief Sam Taylor said at a press conference on Monday.

Police responded to calls of a shooting at a location near Iowa Avenue North and Plum Street at 3:43 p.m.

All the victims were adult men between 20 and 35 years old, according to Taylor.

Lakeland Police did not identify any suspects, but believe that four alleged shooters fired guns on both sides of the street from their vehicle, which Taylor described as a four-door Nissan.

Police believe the shooting wasn’t random and the victims were targeted.

“We don’t believe there’s any reason that the public would need to be concerned right now,” Taylor said. “We think that the individuals in the car shot at and shot who they wanted to shoot.”

Authorities added that they located marijuana at the scene, hinting that marijuana was being sold at the time of the incident, but there is no information on whether the suspected sale of marijuana and the shooting are linked.

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(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) — Memphis police officer Preston Hemphill, a sixth officer involved in the arrest of Tyre Nichols, has been relieved of duty during an ongoing investigation, according to Memphis ABC affiliate WATN-TV.

Five officers, who are all Black, were fired and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nichols’ beating at a Jan. 7 traffic stop. Nichols, 29, died three days later.

Hemphill, who is white, has not been fired or charged.

Hemphil’s attorney, Lee Gerald, said earlier that Hemphill was the third officer at Nichols’ initial traffic stop. The first body camera footage released was from Hemphill.

“As per departmental regulations Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam,” Gerald said earlier in a statement. “He was never present at the second scene. He is cooperating with officials in this investigation.”

He was hired by the department in 2018.

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(NEW YORK) — Texas is bracing for icy conditions that could cripple roads across major cities.

Winter storm warnings are in effect for Dallas and Austin where up to half an inch of ice accumulation is expected.

The freezing rain began Monday and may last through Wednesday morning.

The ice will stretch from Texas to Oklahoma City to Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; and most of Kentucky. An ice storm warning is in effect for Memphis.

The National Weather service is urging people to avoid driving if possible. Many Dallas-area schools are closed on Monday.

The ice could weigh down power lines and trees, so officials are urging Texans to be prepared for power outages and be mindful of the possibility of trees falling onto cars and homes.

A devastating ice storm in February 2021 crippled the state’s power grid and left millions without power or running water for days in freezing weather.

Meanwhile, the Midwest and Northwest are facing dangerously cold temperatures.

On Monday morning, the wind chill — what temperature it feels like — plunged to minus 20 degrees in Minneapolis and minus 33 degrees in Bismarck, North Dakota.

On Tuesday morning, the wind chill is forecast to reach minus 12 in Chicago and minus 25 in Minneapolis.

Despite this week’s bitter temperatures, this month still marks the warmest January on record for dozens of cities, including in the Upper Midwest and Northeast.

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(MONTEREY PARK, Calif.) — The 26-year-old man who disarmed the Monterey Park, California, mass shooting suspect has been honored at a local Lunar New Year festival.

Brandon Tsay was greeted with cheers as he took the stage in Alhambra on Sunday to receive a medal of courage from the Alhambra Police Department.

“Most of the victims I knew personally,” Tsay told the crowd. “They’d always come by the dance studio and I considered them friends. They were some of the most caring people.”

“The start of the new year has been extremely difficult, but we have the rest of the year to spread compassion and build back our community,” he said.

Alhambra’s Lunar New Year festival included a remembrance ceremony for the Monterey Park victims.

Eleven people were killed and several others were injured on Jan. 21 when a gunman opened fire at a crowded Monterey Park dance studio. The suspect, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, then fled and went to nearby Alhambra, where he allegedly entered a second dance hall and was disarmed by Tsay, according to police.

Tsay told ABC News’ Good Morning America last week that the gunman was “looking around the room … he started prepping the weapon and something came over me.”

“I realized I needed to get the weapon away from him … or else everybody would have died,” Tsay said.

“I lunged at him with both my hands, grabbed the weapon and we had a struggle,” he said. “He was hitting me across the face, bashing the back of my head.”

Tsay said once he wrestled the gun away, he pointed the weapon at the suspect and shouted at him to leave. When the suspect left, Tsay called police.

Tran was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot one day after the shooting, police said.

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(NEW YORK) — New Yorkers won’t be walking in a winter wonderland any time soon. Multiple records are about to be broken in the Big Apple due to the lack of measurable snow this winter season.

The first of those records — the latest first snow ever recorded during a winter in New York City — was broken Monday with the city going snowless through Jan. 30 and counting. Previously, the latest New Yorkers had seen snowfall in the 154 years of record-keeping was when it took until Jan. 29, 1973, during the 1972-73 winter, according to the National Weather Service.

In addition, New York City is approaching its longest streak without measurable snow. The previous record is 332 days, which occurred from Jan. 19, 2020 to Dec. 15, 2020.

The last time there was measurable snow in New York City was on March 9 of last year, when .4 inches was measured in Central Park. If the city remains snow-free by Feb. 5, that record will be broken.

Current forecasts are not showing measurable snow in the city over the next week.

Storm systems moving into the Northeast last Wednesday brought along a chance of measurable snow in New York City, but the precipitation changed to rain after only a trace of snow had fallen, according to the NWS.

While brief flurries and snow showers have fallen occasionally this winter in New York City, accumulation of at least 0.1 inches must be recorded for it to be considered measurable snowfall by the NWS.

January has been relatively mild in New York City this year — normally a time when it should be racking up the coldest temperatures. As temperatures remain far above freezing, any precipitation will fall as rain.

Other major cities east of the Colorado Rockies are also experiencing record or near-record warmth. The least amount of snow in 16 years has fallen in Bridgeport, Connecticut, which is experiencing its warmest year on record.

Measurable snow has not fallen in Philadelphia, which is experiencing its second-warmest winter on record. Baltimore is also experiencing a snow drought this winter, its warmest on record.

The same can’t be said for Empire State residents in upstate New York.

Record-breaking amounts of snow fell just before the Christmas weekend, killing dozens of people.

The storm, described as the “blizzard of the century” by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, led to nearly 52 inches of snowfall and 39 deaths.

ABC News’ Melissa Griffin and Max Golembo contributed to this report.

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(BLOOMFIELD, N.J.) — Authorities are searching for a suspect who allegedly threw a lit Molotov cocktail at the front door of a New Jersey synagogue early Sunday morning.

According to security video footage, the suspect approached the front door of Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield, New Jersey at 3:19 a.m. and threw the Molotov cocktail. The glass bottle broke but did not cause any damage, and the suspect then fled, the Bloomfield Police Department said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

Surveillance pictures shared by police show the suspect was wearing a ski mask.

Local law enforcement is investigating alongside the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement that his office is “working closely with local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, to identify and apprehend the suspect in this attack. Our investigation remains ongoing.”

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness said in a tweet that they are “closely monitoring” the incident, and urge “all faith-based communities to remain vigilant.”

In a joint statement, the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey, the Jewish Federations of North Jersey and other groups said they were “outraged” to hear of the incident, which came just days after International Holocaust Remembrance Day and within months of other security threats to New Jersey synagogues.

“We urge our leaders and community partners to speak out against this outrageous act and ask that all communities remain vigilant, though we have not been informed of any particular additional threats to Jewish institutions in New Jersey at this time,” the groups wrote.

Rep. Mikkie Sherill (D-N.J.), who represents the district where Bloomfield is located, wrote on Twitter that she is in touch with law enforcement and that “my prayers” are with the community.

“Anti-Semitic hatred is on the rise in our state, our country and around the world, and we all must work together to eradicate it,” Sherrill wrote.

Evan Bernstein, CEO of Community Security Services, a group that trains volunteer security teams to help keep Jewish institutions safe, wrote in a statement to ABC News that “we have to be aware that the threat level against our communities are increasing, in the United States and abroad.”

The incident comes at a time when synagogues and Jewish institutions around the country continue to navigate what experts say is a volatile and difficult security environment for American Jews.

ABC News’ Matt Foster contributed to this report.

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(LOUISVILLE, N.Y.) — At least six people are dead after an express bus and a box truck crashed in Upstate New York on Saturday, police said.

Three people were also injured in the crash, with one person in critical condition and two seriously injured, New York State Police said in an update Saturday evening. They were transported to local hospitals.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on State Highway 37 in Louisville and involved a 2021 Freightliner box truck and a 2013 express bus, police said. The deceased and injured victims were all traveling in the bus, police said.

State Highway 37 from St. Lawrence County Route 14 to Coles Creek Road remains closed amid the ongoing investigation.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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(LOS ANGELES) — Another mountain lion near Los Angeles has died, over a month after P-22, a beloved local mountain lion who spurred conservation efforts, was euthanized in December after being hit by a vehicle.

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area shared the news Friday that P-81, a four-year-old mountain lion, died on Jan. 22 after likely being hit by a vehicle. Since March 2022, vehicle strikes have been the cause of death for nine mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains research area.

Researchers from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area captured P-81 in March 2020 and equipped him with a radio collar. According to the researchers, P-81 was significant in their study due to his physical abnormalities, including a kinked tail and a deformed reproductive organ.

According to the researchers, those features were early evidence of inbreeding within the cougar population, leading to concern about the health of the animal population.

Researchers later found that the mountain lions of the Santas Monica mountains have some of the lowest genetic diversity ever documented, second only to Florida panthers in the 1990s.

According to the National Park Service, Los Angeles and Mumbai are the only two megacities in the world to maintain a population of big cats; however, the growth of roads and traffic have fragmented the cats’ habitats, and fast-moving cars have contributed to 34 fatalities of the animals in California since 2002.

Another mountain lion, P-22, became a local celebrity in Los Angeles, helping spur the creation of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing over the 101 Freeway, which would connect marooned wildlife, including mountain lions, to populations north of the city without having to cross the busy freeway. P-22 was euthanized in December after beginning to act erratically, including killing a chihuahua and attacking other dogs. Veterinarians euthanized P-22 after learning he was hit by a car and had several other ailments.

P-22’s death came amid a public outcry of support for the famous big cat, whose rise to fame in a city known for its celebrities inspired a generation of conservationists. His death prompted a front-page obituary in the Los Angeles Times, with a headline of the Sunday edition proclaiming, “Improbable trek led puma to win Angelenos’ hearts.”

“P-22’s survival on an island of wilderness in the heart of Los Angeles captivated people around the world and revitalized efforts to protect our diverse native species and ecosystems,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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