Malibu man to stand trial for murder in high-speed crash that left 4 Pepperdine students dead

A 23-year-old resident of Malibu, California, has been ordered by a judge to face trial on charges of murder and vehicular manslaughter following a crash from a year and a half ago that resulted in the deaths of four Pepperdine students.

Prosecutors allege Fraser Bohm was driving at speeds between 93 and 104 mph in an area with a 45 mph speed limit when his vehicle crashed on Pacific Coast Highway on October 17, 2023. This is according to his BMW’s “black box” data, as reported by FOX 11.

Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21, who were all sorority sisters, were killed in the crash. 

The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., with Bohm purportedly speeding along a section of the Pacific Coast Highway known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” where he collided with three parked cars.

“It’s a very low standard to make it through the preliminary hearing to bind you for trial,” he added. “It’s not the highest standard, which is beyond a reasonable doubt, at trial.”

Kraut said one of the witnesses admitted to chasing Bohm in a road rage incident he says contributed to the crash. 

Mother and daugther pose with inset of four women.

Tracy Rolston, far left, lost her daughter, Niahm Rolston, in a 2023 Malibu collision when driver Fraser Bohm allegedly struck her and three sorority sisters. Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams were also killed in the crash.  (Courtesy of Tracy Rolston/ Instagram)

He added that witnesses corroborated his client’s claim that he was going “70 miles an hour, not 104,” before the crash, “and every fact that he gave was corroborated.”

Kraut added, “There was somebody who had their lights shining directly into his eyes, and he had to move over, and that was shown on a video where somebody pulled into the center median.” 

The lawyer added a “woman who was in front of him saw those lights, and she moved over part of the lane and honked at him, and that startled him and that moved him in. And that’s when the crash happened.”

Fraser Bohm's family leaves court

The family of Fraser Bohm leave his bail review in 2023.  (Splash News for Fox News Digital)

“This is a horrible, horrible case for everybody — the victims, families,” he said. “It’s a horrific event. And my client’s family and my client feel distraught over what happened. But the issue is holding my client responsible for the level of crime, if any, that he committed, not just going to the top for murder.” 

Superior Court Judge Diego H. Edber scheduled Bohm’s arraignment for July 1. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Los Angeles County DA’s office for comment. 

You May Also Like

Hero Mississippi neighbor digs through smouldering wreckage with his hands to rescue boy, 4, trapped in house fire

Mississippi Neighbor Digs Through Flames to Rescue 4-Year-Old Boy

A Mississippi neighbor used his bare hands to search through smoldering wreckage…
Air Force member killed rappelling from Alamodome's ceiling in Salute to Armed Forces ceremony

Air Force Member Dies Rappelling From Alamodome Ceiling at Ceremony

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — An Air Force service member has died after…
California's proposed billionaire tax: How does it add up?

California Billionaire Tax Proposal: Who Pays and How It Works

When California voters go to the polls next month, they will decide…
Multiple people killed, dozens injured in explosion at Canadian military training base

Multiple Killed, Dozens Injured in Canadian Military Base Explosion

Multiple people were killed and dozens were injured after an explosion at…
Arizona man accused of plotting mass casualty attack on religious site with 'cookbook' tied to OKC bombing

Arizona Man Accused of Religious Site Attack Plot With OKC Cookbook

An Arizona man accused of planning a mass-casualty attack on a Jewish…
Pope Leo news: Pope Leo XIV tells faithful in St. Peter's Square he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV to Gradually Resume Duties After Cancer Surgery

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV thanked the thousands of faithful gathered…
Air Force commando crashes to ground from 170-foot ceiling at UTSA game

Air Force commando plummets from 170-foot ceiling at UTSA game

An Air Force commando plunged dozens of feet in front of tens…
Arizona man shoots 10 rounds at apartment after neighbors reject cocaine offer: police

Arizona Man Accused of Firing 10 Shots After Cocaine Offer Rejected

A Scottsdale man allegedly opened fire at an apartment complex after residents…
Man accused of killing two teens claimed he was carjacked — his own dashcam footage shows otherwise: cops

Accused Teen Driver’s Dashcam May Prove Murder of Two Girls

An accused New Jersey killer’s own dashcam footage could help prosecutors argue…
UC Santa Barbara professor claims college shortchanged her $3M, promoted male colleague: suit

UC Santa Barbara Professor Sues, Claims College Denied Her $3M and Promoted Male Colleague

A female UC Santa Barbara professor was allegedly shortchanged by nearly $3…
Mass shooting rocks California city as cops swoop on home

Mass Shooting Shakes California City as Police Descend on Home

One person was killed and six others were injured in a mass…
Cows roam Kansas City highway after trailer plunged off Missouri overpass, killing dozens of cattle

Cows Roam Kansas City Highway After Trailer Falls From Missouri Overpass, Killing Dozens

Dozens of cattle escaped onto a Kansas City, Missouri, street early Sunday…