Vikram Beri Arrested After Tesla Crash and Alleged Arson Attempt at US Winery

Indian-origin Entrepreneur Beri Vikram, a 42-year-old resident of Menlo Park and founder of the mental health platform BetterLYF Wellness, was arrested on December 8, 2025, following a chaotic incident at Garrod Farms Estate Winery & Stables in Saratoga. According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, winery staff confronted Vikram after observing him attempting to ignite a fire on the property. When challenged, he allegedly threw a wine bottle at employees before fleeing in his white Tesla, deliberately colliding with two parked vehicles and sending one over an embankment.

Vikram then drove his Tesla off the same embankment, where he barricaded himself inside the damaged vehicle and refused to surrender despite multiple de-escalation attempts by deputies. Authorities deployed pepperball rounds and pepper spray to compel him to exit, forcing him to crawl out before taking him into custody. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for evaluation. Vikram faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon (for throwing the bottle) and resisting arrest, with booking into the Santa Clara County Main Jail pending.

The motive for the alleged arson attempt remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Vikram, who also serves as Executive Director of Business Development for FieldKing, a global farm equipment manufacturer, founded BetterLYF in 2016 to provide accessible online counseling services in India. Described in media reports as a millionaire with prior experience at Deloitte and as an angel investor, his actions have drawn attention due to the irony of his professional focus on mental health amid the reported meltdown.

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The incident, labeled a "wild scene" by the Sheriff's Office in their social media statement, occurred at the family-operated Cooper-Garrod winery, which doubles as an equestrian facility. No injuries were reported among staff or bystanders, but the event has highlighted concerns over public safety at local venues. As legal proceedings advance, the case underscores broader discussions on personal crises among high-profile professionals in Silicon Valley's demanding environment.

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