The families of four Pepperdine University students killed in a crash on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) have filed lawsuits against several California government entities, highlighting a roadway long criticized by both locals and celebrities as unsafe and dangerous.
Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, all members of the Alpha Phi sorority, lost their lives in October 2023 when a BMW struck them in an area of PCH known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” Locals have warned about the dangers that come with using that stretch of highway for years, yet little action has been taken to curb the unfortunate incidents that unfold there, as per a Daily Mail report.
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The families of the four sorority sisters are suing Los Angeles County, Malibu, Caltrans, the state of California, and the California Coastal Commission, alleging that the road’s design is hazardous and its officials have also repeatedly failed to implement necessary safety measures to curtail the frequency of accidents in the area, according to ABC 7.
“For far too long, Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu has been and continues to be unsafe for pedestrians and drivers alike. As a result of the defendants’ complacency, far too many lives have been needlessly lost,” the families’ attorneys said in a joint statement. The families hope the lawsuits will prompt officials to take action to prevent further tragedies.
The driver, 22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm, lost control of his vehicle while driving northbound, and collided with a parked car before running through the students.
A fifth person was also hit but fortunately survived. Bohm, who suffered no injuries and was behind the act is facing four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He however pleaded not guilty and was released on a $4 million bond.
Bohm’s preliminary hearing is set for October 9 at the Van Nuys Courthouse, with the trial expected to begin in January, according to the Pepperdine University Graphic.
Pacific Coast Highway, particularly the area between Las Flores Canyon and Carbon Canyon Roads, has been the site of about 50 deaths and nearly 100 serious accidents between 2013 and 2023, according to ABC 7. The road’s dangers have been the subject of public outcry for years, and many still await change, knowing the threat it poses.
Award-winning actor Rob Lowe condemned Malibu’s leadership after rapper MC Supreme was killed by a drunk driver on the same PCH in 2015. “Malibu’s leadership has pretty much always been a disgrace,” Lowe tweeted at the time.
Michel Shane, a filmmaker and producer of I, Robot and Catch Me If You Can, made a documentary titled 21 Miles in Malibu in tribute to his daughter Emily, who was unfortunately killed in 2010 by a driver while walking along this same highway.
Since the death of his daughter, Shane has been a vocal advocate for safety improvements on PCH, hoping to see changes taking place to prevent similar situations from unfolding.
The four sorority sisters were on their way to meet up with other friends at a Pepperdine fraternity party when the unexpected crash happened.
In addition to attending Pepperdine, these ladies had a life they were all pursuing. Rolston worked as a cheer and gymnastics coach, while Weir was a writing tutor. For Stewart, she often volunteered at a senior home and interned at TikTok, and Williams was also remembered fondly by her employer, who posted a tribute on Facebook: “When you get the saddest news, 21 miles of devastation—a road full of heartbreak.”
The families of four sorority sisters will hope their efforts yield results, knowing it will not only reduce the frequency of accidents on the road, but also provide justice in many ways for their lost relatives.
