Authorities are investigating a tragic motor vehicle collision that occurred around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near La Costa Beach in Malibu. A westbound driver in a dark gray sedan reportedly lost control, veered toward the shoulder of the road, and struck three parked cars. These vehicles then collided with four women standing roadside, resulting in their fatalities.
The four victims, identified as Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, were all senior students at Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts. The university has announced plans to organize memorial services in conjunction with the families of the deceased.
Fraser Bohm, the 22-year-old driver of the sedan, was taken into custody under suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence but has since been released. At this time, it remains unclear whether factors such as high speed, drugs, or alcohol contributed to the incident. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the crash, and no further details have been released.
Efforts to improve safety on Pacific Coast Highway have been reiterated by law enforcement officials, citing a significant number of fatalities on the stretch. Traffic was diverted overnight following the collision but was reopened by Wednesday morning. Pepperdine University has offered grief counseling services and will hold a campus prayer service for the community’s healing.
Source: LAist
