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22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm arrested after 4 Pepperdine University students killed in multi-car crash on PCH in Malibu
Authorities are also investigating whether two drivers may have been street racing at the time of the collision.
After a collision on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students and left two others injured, a 22-year-old driver has been taken into custody, officials announced on Wednesday.
Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Capt. Jennifer Seetoo, during an afternoon press conference, stated that Fraser Bohm was apprehended on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, though she refrained from disclosing additional particulars at this time.
Bohm was formally processed but authorities have informed that he has been subsequently released from custody.
Sheriff’s officials have stated that the investigation remains active. The incident was reported at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, in the 21500 block of PCH.
According to investigators, it is believed that Bohm was traveling westbound when he lost control, colliding with at least three parked vehicles, which in turn struck the group of women.
Following this, the vehicles struck four adult women who were positioned by the side of the road near the parked vehicles, confirmed Sheriff’s Capt. Jennifer Seetoo. “The four females were pronounced dead at the scene.
Pepperdine University identified the students killed in the crash as Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, all seniors at the university’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts.
Bohm, who sustained minor scratches and bruises in the crash, was apprehended at the scene,” stated sheriff’s officials.
Two additional individuals were promptly transported to a hospital with their current condition remaining undisclosed. Bohm was initially held for questioning.
A sobriety assessment was conducted, and officials stated on Tuesday night that drugs and alcohol did not appear to be contributing factors. However, no additional specifics on this matter were disclosed during Wednesday’s press briefing.
It is believed that a minimum of four vehicles were engaged in the series of collisions.
The scene displayed visible casualties along with extensively wrecked vehicles. Officials are also looking into the possibility that two drivers might have been engaged in street racing at the moment of impact.
When a reporter inquired if this could have been a form of “speed contest,” Schultz responded, “There was no other vehicle, as far as we know, that was involved. Apart from that, it’s still part of the ongoing investigation.”
