“21 Miles in Malibu” examines crashes and safety issues on the scenic roadway where producer Michel Shane’s daughter was killed in 2010.
A documentary examining the dangers of Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway will premiere on PBS SoCal on July 9.
“21 Miles in Malibu,” produced by Hollywood filmmaker Michel Shane and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nic Davis, looks at the 21-mile stretch of roadway known for both its scenic beauty and high number of fatal crashes, reckless driving and infrastructure shortcomings. According to PBS SoCal’s description of the film, 205 people have died on that 21-mile stretch since 1975. The documentary follows how two families were upended by the road for different reasons.
The film centers in part on the 2010 death of Shane’s 13-year-old daughter, Emily Shane, who was struck and killed by a driver on the PCH. Following her death, Shane and his wife Ellen founded the Emily Shane Foundation, which supports underserved students and advocates for traffic safety through its Driving Change initiative. The foundation worked with the City of Malibu and other advocates to help secure $55 million in state funding for safety improvements along the highway.
The documentary, set to air at 7 p.m. PT, includes accounts from residents, law enforcement, crash survivors and families affected by violence on the road, along with perspectives from engineers and traffic experts on potential safety measures.
