Four Lives Lost to Speeding BMW: In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the Malibu community in shock, four bright young lives were tragically cut short when a speeding BMW careened out of control on the treacherous Pacific Coast Highway. The Pepperdine University seniors, who were walking alongside the highway on that fateful Tuesday night, fell victim to the devastating collision.
Victims Identified
The victims have been identified as Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, all of whom were students at Pepperdine’s Seaver College School of the Arts. These young souls, full of promise and potential, had their futures stolen in an instant.
A Community Mourns
The Pepperdine community is grappling with this profound loss, as university president Jim Gash expressed his heartfelt condolences to the students who were close to the departed. The pain and grief are immeasurable, and they are not alone in this difficult journey.
Unfortunate Accident
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department reported a tragic 8:30 p.m. accident involving 22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm and his dark BMW. Bohm’s vehicle swerved onto the shoulder, striking three parked cars, which, in turn, plowed into the four unsuspecting students, leading to their immediate, tragic demise.
Legal Actions
Bohm has been arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and he awaits the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are also conducting a DUI probe. Despite the devastation, Bohm sustained only minor injuries in the accident.
Notorious “Dead Man’s Curve”
The collision took place approximately four miles north of the Pepperdine campus on a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway notoriously known as “Dead Man’s Curve” due to its history of accidents.
Bright Futures Cut Short
Niamh Rolston, a business major, was set to graduate in 2024. Peyton Stewart, Vice President of Finance at Alpha Phi, was pursuing a business degree. Asha Weir, from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, was studying English.
Sorority Sisters Remembered
According to the Santa Monica Observer, these four students were not only friends but sorority sisters, with three of them being roommates. Alpha Phi is currently reeling from this heartbreaking loss.
Finding Strength in Faith
In times of profound loss, Pepperdine’s President, Jim Gash, reminded us of the resilience found in faith. “In such times, we hold firm to our faith in the God who sustains and nourishes us even when—and especially when—we experience life’s most significant losses,” he said.
As the Malibu community mourns the loss of these four promising lives, it stands united in support and solidarity.