CRIME
Driver Arrested In Crash That Killed Four Pepperdine University Students On Pacific Coast Highway
pepperdine/X
A 22-year-old driver was arrested Wednesday in connection with the Tuesday night crash that killed four Pepperdine University students on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif., authorities said.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, Fraser Michael Bohm was traveling westbound when he lost control of his BMW at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities said Tuesday night that intoxication did not seem to be a factor.
Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Capt. Jennifer Seetoo said Bohm was arrested and booked on charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and was released from custody. She said the investigation is ongoing.
Officials said Bohm was speeding when he lost control of his vehicle on the treacherous seaside highway, striking three parked cars next to where the four victims were standing.
Subsequently, those vehicles hit four female adults standing on the side of the roadway near the parked vehicles, Seetoo said. The four females were pronounced dead at the scene.
Per reports, witnesses to the crash tackled Bohm after he emerged from his vehicle unharmed.
Pepperdine University identified the four victims, who were all seniors, as Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. The sorority sisters were all students at the university’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts.
“To the students who loved, lived with, and were in community with the departed members of our Pepperdine family, my heart is broken with yours. I join you in your grief as we process this profound loss,” Pepperdine President Jim Gash said in a statement to the school community.
“In the days ahead, we will come together in meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the lives of the remarkable individuals lost to this unthinkable tragedy,” Gash said.
A prayer service was held for the Pepperdine community Thursday morning.
TMX contributed to this article.
