Los Angeles, California – A Superior Court judge has denied a motion to dismiss murder charges against Fraser Michael Bohm, who is accused of causing the deaths of four Pepperdine University students in a crash on the Pacific Coast Highway last October.
During a hearing on Monday, Bohm’s defense team argued that evidence presented was insufficient to uphold the serious charges. Following the ruling by Judge Thomas Rubinson, Alan Jackson, one of Bohm’s attorneys, expressed disappointment, indicating plans to seek an appellate review of the decision. “This has never been a murder case; the charges have always been excessive,” Jackson stated.
Bohm faces four counts of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence stemming from the fatal incident on Oct. 17, 2023. Prosecutors allege that he was traveling at high speeds when he collided with parked vehicles along the highway, leading to the tragic deaths of the students who were standing nearby.
The victims, Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, were seniors at the university, just months away from graduation. They were pronounced dead at the crash site, resulting in the university posthumously awarding their degrees.
Former District Attorney George Gascón previously stated that Bohm was allegedly driving at speeds reaching 104 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone when he lost control of his vehicle. He cited Bohm’s reckless behavior as a key factor in the decision to pursue murder charges.
However, Bohm’s previous legal representatives have disputed claims regarding his speed, suggesting that there was inadequate evidence to support the assertion of extreme speeding. They have also argued that Bohm was a target of road rage during the incident. Jackson reiterated this stance in court, claiming that Bohm was being chased and harassed by another driver.
In addition to these claims, the defense is meticulously examining witness testimonies related to the crash, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering all pertinent information. Jackson stated that they intend to “leave no stone unturned” in their pursuit of the truth.
The segment of the Pacific Coast Highway where the tragic accident took place has previously been associated with several dangerous incidents. In the aftermath of the crash, calls have intensified for increased safety measures to address speed and traffic concerns along that roadway.
As the case unfolds, the community mourns the loss of four promising students while grappling with questions surrounding road safety and accountability.