A man has died following a brutal assault that ended with him being struck and dragged by a vehicle along a busy Beverly Hills roadway Friday afternoon.
According to police, the incident unfolded around 12:42 p.m. near the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard, after multiple 911 callers reported a suspect armed with a weapon attacking someone in the area.
Investigators said the suspect, Christopher Cornelius, 54, of San Bernardino, became involved in a verbal dispute with the male victim. Witnesses reported that the confrontation escalated when Cornelius allegedly began beating the victim with a metal object—believed to be a pipe or wrench—while the man was already down on the sidewalk.
“It looked like he was maybe even trying to kill him,” one witness said.
As the victim attempted to stand, Cornelius allegedly got into his car, drove on the wrong side of the road, struck the man, and dragged him an estimated 100 to 200 feet along San Vicente Boulevard.
Several witnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene. One woman who had just entered her parked vehicle said she heard multiple car horns before realizing a wrong-way driver was heading directly toward her.
“I could see there was a man under the car,” she told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “I didn’t want to witness him being dragged, so I put my head down. I felt his head lightly hit the back of my tire.”
The victim was eventually dislodged near the woman’s parked car. Cornelius then fled the scene.
Responding officers found the victim suffering from critical injuries. He was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he later died despite life-saving efforts.
Police quickly set up a containment area and located Cornelius hiding inside a nearby building. He was taken into custody without incident.
Cornelius has been arrested on a charge of murder and is being held on $2 million bail. Detectives said he has an extensive criminal history, including prior violent offenses.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity, nor have they confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
Crime scene tape surrounded the sidewalk and Cornelius’ white sedan near a tall office building, prompting the closure of eastbound lanes of San Vicente Boulevard as the investigation continued. Drivers were advised to avoid the area.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information is urged to contact Beverly Hills Police at 310-550-4951.