A 22-year-old man suspected of causing a fatal crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu that killed four female Pepperdine University students was released from custody Wednesday while the investigation into the crash continued.
Fraser Michael Bohm, of Malibu, was taken into custody after the crash that occurred around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 21600 block of Pacific Coast Highway, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, but jail records show he was released from custody around 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, with sheriff’s officials saying the investigation was continuing.
Pepperdine University officials confirmed Wednesday that all four women were students at the university’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts. The university identified them as seniors Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. Their exact ages were not immediately available, but the county Department of Medical Examiner stated earlier that all were in their 20s.
According to sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo, Bohm was driving a dark gray four-door sedan west on PCH when he lost control and swerved onto the north shoulder of the highway and collided with three parked vehicles.
“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.”
Bohm, who suffered minor scratches and bruises in the crash, was taken into custody at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.
Investigators said they were still working to determine if Bohm was impaired at the time of the crash, but there is no indication that the suspect was involved in any type of street race, with a detective saying there are no other vehicles believed to have been involved.
Video from the scene showed multiple cars heavily damaged, including one that was flipped onto its side.
PCH was closed in both directions between roughly Las Flores Canyon and Carbon Canyon roads through the night and into the morning rush hour as authorities continued to investigate what led to the devastating collision. The roadway was reopened shortly after 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Pepperdine University President Jim Gash sent a message to the campus community confirming the crash victims were students.
“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,” Gash wrote. “I join you in your grief as we process this profound loss. To the faculty and staff members who mentored and loved these students throughout their academic journeys both inside and outside the classroom, I offer prayers of comfort, support, and gratitude.”
Gash added, “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. We will harness the strength found in the bonds of friendship and the community that unites us.”
University officials said the campus is offering “spiritual and emotional support, including from the counseling center, from the pastoral care team, and the student care team.”
A prayer service will be held at Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse at 10 a.m. Thursday in memory of the students who died. All Seaver College classes will be canceled between 10 and 11 a.m. to accommodate students who want to attend.
“Join us as we come together in a spirit of comfort, compassion, and care as we lift up in prayer the families and friends of those we have lost and unite as a community to call upon our loving God for peace and comfort in this difficult time,” according to a message sent to the university community.
“President Jim Gash, provost Jay Brewster, and vice president for student affairs Connie Horton will address the community as we immerse ourselves in prayer and scripture to seek God’s presence to bring healing to our community.”
The university urged students in need to support to contact the school’s Counseling Center at 310-506-4210, with counselors available around the clock.
KNX News reported from the scene Wednesday morning that there may have been a Pepperdine fraternity party in the area Tuesday night.
Seetoo made an impassioned plea to the public to slow down while driving on PCH, saying the street is the scene of too many horrific crashes that have claimed lives in the past. She said the department is working with elected officials “to make sure people are educated about the dangers of PCH, to slow down on PCH.”
She also called for stepped-up enforcement efforts, including the use of speed cameras.
“We’ve got to change with the times. The technology is an option. These speed cameras are going to be in six cities in 2024,” she said, referring to state legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that will create a pilot project installing speed cameras in cities including Los Angeles, Glendale and Long Beach.
“We’ve got to keep our eyes on this technology because I believe it will save lives,” Seetoo said. “… We’ve got to do something about it. So that’s my call to action to the community — let’s partner together to save lives. Elected officials, I need your help. Let’s partner together to save lives.”
Anyone with information related to the crash was asked to call the traffic investigations office at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at 818-878-1808.
Updated at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 18, 2023
–City News Service