July 27, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Murder Charges Filed in Tragic Malibu Car Crash Which Killed Pepperdine Students

Los Angeles District Attorney Announces Additional Legal Action in Fatal Crash

By Dolores Quintana

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has officially announced the charging of Fraser Bohm in connection with a fatal car crash that resulted in the tragic deaths of four Pepperdine University students in Malibu, Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams.

Pepperdine

District Attorney Gascón expressed his condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families, loved ones, and the Pepperdine University community as they grapple with this unfathomable loss. Today, we stand in profound sorrow for the loss of four innocent lives taken in a senseless incident. We want to assure the community of our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for those who were prematurely taken from us.”

Fraser Michael Bohm, born on October 16, 2001, faces charges in case LA100189, including four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. During an arraignment held today in Department 100 of the Van Nuys Courthouse, Bohm entered a not-guilty plea to all charges. The court reduced the previously established bail of $8 million to $4 million during the arraignment.

Bohm’s defense lawyer, Michael Kraut, claimed to have evidence that his client’s excessive rate of speed, which he claims was actually near 70 miles per hour, was due to being chased during a road rage incident that started near Duke’s Malibu restaurant. 

Pepperdine

KTLA quotes Kraut, who said, “We have evidence that the Sheriff’s Department did not want to take that clearly shows that there was a road rage incident that started at Duke’s, that this person chased him and tried to push him off the side of the road. And when he accelerated to get away from him, that’s when the accident occurred.”

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Arens was quoted by ABC 7 News during a press conference, and he said that there was no evidence that a road rage incident had anything to do with the crash. 

The incident occurred on October 17 when Bohm allegedly drove at an excessive speed of 104 miles an hour in a 45 miles-per-hour zone on the 21600 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Eyewitnesses reported that he lost control of his vehicle, leading to a collision with parked vehicles and striking four pedestrians who were standing alongside the road. Tragically, all four pedestrians died at the scene of the accident.

If found guilty as charged, Bohm could face the possibility of receiving multiple life sentences. The investigation into this case was carried out by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

in News
<>Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

Herbie Hancock to Headline Hollywood Bowl in August

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Known for his decades-spanning career, Hancock is one of jazz’s forward-thinking voices Jazz legend Herbie Hancock is set to return...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Premiere of ‘All These Women’ Coming to Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Set in 1913, the play dramatizes the uphill struggle for the right to vote as women across the United States...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Santa Monica City Attorney to Step Down, Take New Public Role in California

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

City Council will discuss hiring a replacement at its July 29 meeting Santa Monica City Attorney Doug Sloan has announced...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

Film Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

“This movie will probably become part of pop culture, even if not a critical success. Neither was the 1997 film,...