A quiet weekend afternoon at a Bay Area winery turned chaotic after a man allegedly attempted to start a fire, assaulted staff, and deliberately rammed his Tesla into other vehicles before crashing off an embankment. Authorities later identified the suspect as Beri Vikram, a 42 year old Menlo Park resident and founder of the online mental health platform BetterLYF Wellness.
The incident unfolded Saturday at Garrod Farms in Saratoga, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle. Winery staff reportedly confronted Vikram after spotting him trying to ignite a fire on the property. The motive remains unclear, but the situation escalated quickly. Deputies say Vikram threw a wine bottle at employees before running to his Tesla in an apparent attempt to flee the scene.
What followed was a violent sequence in the parking area. Investigators allege Vikram intentionally drove his Tesla into two parked cars. One vehicle was pushed over an embankment, and moments later Vikram drove his own car off the edge as well, leaving it disabled in nearby brush.
Law enforcement officers arrived to find Vikram still inside the vehicle and refusing to exit. According to police, officers used pepperball rounds and pepper spray to force him out of the car and into custody. He was then transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Vikram was booked on charges that include assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. No serious injuries were reported among winery staff or bystanders. The primary damage appears limited to the vehicles involved, including Vikram’s Tesla and a small Honda that was struck during the rampage.
The episode has drawn attention because of Vikram’s professional background. He is the founder of BetterLYF Wellness, a digital mental health startup that provides online therapy services, primarily in India. The company markets itself as a platform focused on emotional well being, mindfulness, and psychological support.
The contrast between that mission and the events at the winery has not gone unnoticed. In recent years, mental health startups have faced growing scrutiny over business practices, data security, and the quality of care delivered through digital platforms. This incident adds an unsettling human dimension to those concerns, though authorities have not linked Vikram’s alleged actions to his company’s operations.
Police say the investigation is ongoing. For now, the incident stands as a disturbing reminder that personal crises can erupt unpredictably, even in settings designed for calm and leisure, and regardless of professional credentials tied to mental health advocacy.