A 23-year-old man from Malibu has been ordered to stand trial for murder and vehicular manslaughter after a tragic crash that killed four Pepperdine University students. The crash occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway on October 17, 2023, when Fraser Bohm was allegedly driving at speeds between 93 and 104 mph in a 45 mph zone.
The victims, Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21, were all sorority sisters at Pepperdine. They lost their lives when Bohm’s BMW crashed into three parked cars around 8:30 p.m. that evening on a dangerous stretch of road known as "Dead Man’s Curve."
According to prosecutors, data retrieved from Bohm’s car indicated his excessive speed at the time of the accident. Witnesses, however, provided conflicting accounts of his driving, with some suggesting he was being chased by another vehicle in a road rage incident. Bohm’s attorney, Michael Kraut, pointed out that one witness admitted to pursuing Bohm, which he argues played a role in the crash.
Kraut, who has extensive experience as a former prosecutor, noted that it is rare for cases like this to result in a murder charge. He emphasized that the preliminary hearing has a lower standard of proof compared to a trial, which requires evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. He mentioned that some witnesses supported Bohm’s claim that he was driving at a lower speed than reported and highlighted that a driver with bright lights may have startled Bohm, contributing to the crash.
The case has stirred deep emotions, as it involves the tragic loss of young lives. Bohm’s family is also grieving, and his lawyer expressed that everyone involved feels the weight of the incident. The arraignment for Bohm is set for July 1, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.