Two Years After a Speeding Crash Claimed the Lives of Four Young Women, Families, Officials, and Advocates Will Gather at the Ghost Tires Memorial
Two years after the deaths of four Pepperdine University students in a high-speed crash along Pacific Coast Highway, community leaders, safety advocates, and loved ones will gather Friday, Oct. 17, for a remembrance ceremony and press conference at the Ghost Tires Memorial in Malibu.
Organized by Fix PCH, the Emily Shane Foundation, and Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), the event will honor the memory of Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, while highlighting ongoing efforts to make one of California’s most dangerous roadways safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
The press conference begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by a community remembrance at 4 p.m. at the Ghost Tires Memorial, located at Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way.
City, state, and county officials are expected to join the families of the victims and local residents to reflect on the tragedy’s lasting impact and discuss progress toward implementing long-term traffic safety solutions on PCH.
Scheduled speakers include:
- David Rolston, father of victim Niamh Rolston
- Bridget Thompson, a friend of the four women
- State Senator Ben Allen, author of Senate Bill 1297, focused on roadway safety
- L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (invited)
- Malibu Councilmember Doug Stewart
- Captain Dustin Carr, Malibu–Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
- Captain Jared I. Perry, California Highway Patrol, West Valley Area
- Damian Kevitt, founder of SAFE and Fix PCH
- Michel Shane, Emily Shane Foundation, and Fix PCH
Speakers will address the urgent need for improved speed enforcement, infrastructure redesigns, and legislative action aimed at preventing further loss of life along the scenic but perilous coastal highway.
The remembrance portion will feature personal tributes from friends and family, emphasizing both grief and resilience as the community continues to advocate for lasting change.
In conjunction with the event, organizers will relaunch a GoFundMe campaign to install memorial benches at Point Dume in honor of the four Pepperdine students. Originally started in 2024 and temporarily paused due to the Malibu fires, the campaign has raised $5,000 toward its $16,000 goal. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/PCH-Pepperdine-Student-Memorial.
