MALIBU, CA – Tragedy struck Pepperdine University in Malibu as four students lost their lives in a devastating accident on Tuesday evening, leaving two others injured. The incident occurred when a car driven by 22-year-old Frazier M. Bohm careened into the group of students along the bustling Pacific Coast Highway around 8:30 p.m. local time. Authorities have arrested Bohm, charging him with vehicular manslaughter. Although Bohm suffered minor injuries, he has since been released while the investigation unfolds.
The four young women who tragically lost their lives were all seniors at Pepperdine University, a prestigious Christian institution that overlooks the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. They have been identified as Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, marking a profound loss for the university community.
Two other individuals injured in the crash were promptly transported to a local hospital, though their conditions remain undisclosed as of now. The incident prompted Pepperdine President Jim Gash to express his grief in a heartfelt letter to the university community. Gash described the tragedy as “unimaginable” and acknowledged the immense toll it would take on the close-knit campus.
In response, the university has organized a prayer service open to students and staff scheduled for Thursday to remember and honor the lives of the four students. Additionally, memorial services with the families are in the planning stages, as the community seeks solace in their collective grief.
Authorities suspect that Bohm was driving a dark-colored BMW at a high rate of speed when he lost control, ultimately colliding with three parked vehicles that, in turn, struck the group of pedestrians. The city of Malibu, via a Facebook statement, attributed the deadly crash to a “speeding motorist.”
The incident, which unfolded approximately 25 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, underscores the longstanding concern of speeding vehicles along the 21-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway within Malibu. Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo emphasized the need for collaborative efforts within the community to address the recurring issue of fatal crashes on this particular roadway.