Malibu, California — A hearing is scheduled for Monday regarding a motion to dismiss murder charges against Fraser Michael Bohm, who faces allegations stemming from a tragic crash that claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students. The incident, which occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway in October 2023, involved Bohm’s vehicle colliding with three parked cars, resulting in the deaths of the young women, all members of the Alpha Phi sorority.
Bohm, now 24, was 22 at the time of the crash. He stands accused of four counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. The defense argues that the evidence presented to justify the murder charges is insufficient. They are seeking a dismissal from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson, challenging a prior ruling that allowed the case to advance to trial.
The women who died in the crash — Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21 — were seniors at Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts. They were posthumously awarded their degrees after their anticipated graduation in 2024. The devastating event has sparked widespread concern over pedestrian safety along that stretch of the highway.
During a previous court hearing, Deputy District Attorney Nathan Bartos indicated that Bohm lost control of his vehicle as the victims walked along the shoulder of the highway after exiting another car. The prosecution contends that Bohm’s alleged speeding contributed to the reckless nature of the incident.
Defense attorneys for Bohm assert that the charges should not be classified as murder, claiming that the prosecution has misrepresented the facts surrounding the unfortunate accident. They argue that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on claims of excessive speed while neglecting potential factors that may have contributed to the crash. Bohm’s previous legal counsel suggested he might have been involved in a road-rage incident prior to the collision.
The prosecution, however, remains firm in its stance, insisting that Bohm drove dangerously, exceeding the speed limit by 59 miles per hour on a road known for its risks. Bartos pointed out that there was no evidence to support Bohm’s defense strategy regarding the alleged road rage and criticized the defense for attempting to shift the narrative away from Bohm’s actions.
Bohm’s legal journey has already included moments of arrest and release, with him currently out on bail following his re-arrest weeks after the crash. According to officials, he veered onto the highway shoulder and struck parked vehicles, which in turn hit the four women, leading to their immediate deaths at the scene.
That part of the Pacific Coast Highway, often referred to as “Dead Man’s Curve,” has a notorious reputation for accidents along its 21-mile coastal stretch. In the wake of this tragedy, families of the victims have taken legal action and called for enhanced safety measures to protect pedestrians, citing a need for urgent changes that have been overdue for years.
Despite the ongoing legal battles, many in the community continue to grieve the loss of these young women, drawing attention to the critical need for pedestrian safety improvements in an area recognized for posing dangers to both drivers and walkers alike.