Fraser Bohm, the Malibu man accused of killing four Pepperdine University students in a high-speed crash along Pacific Coast Highway last fall, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to multiple counts of murder and vehicular manslaughter. The October 2023 collision, which claimed the lives of four senior sorority sisters, has left the Malibu community stunned.
Appearing in a Los Angeles County courtroom, Bohm, 23, was accompanied by his high-profile defense attorney Alan Jackson, known most recently for securing a not-guilty verdict in the Massachusetts murder trial of Karen Read. Jackson’s involvement signals that the defense intends to mount an aggressive case—one that, according to early indications, may include claims that Bohm was fleeing a road rage incident at the time of the crash. Authorities have not confirmed that narrative.
The victims—Niamh Rolston, Asha Weir, Deslyn Williams, and Peyton Stewart—were all 21 or 22 years old and members of the Alpha Phi sorority. They were standing on the roadside on the evening of October 17 when Bohm’s BMW veered off the highway, striking them with fatal force. The arrest warrant alleges Bohm was speeding and driving recklessly before the collision. Toxicology results have not been publicly released.
Loved ones of the victims have vowed to attend every hearing, determined to make their presence felt in the courtroom. Bridget Thompson, a fellow sorority sister and close friend of the victims, told reporters that showing up is one of the few actions she can take in their absence. “It gives me peace to know I can be there,” she said.
The crash has led community members to call for more safety measures on the PCH to be put in place. The area is known for reckless driving and pedestrian fatalities – many hope that a silver lining of this case will be stricter enforcement and possible upgrades to the area’s infrastructure.
Bohm, who was 22 at the time of the crash, was initially arrested shortly after the incident but later re-arrested following a deeper investigation.
A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for September 5, where both sides are expected to begin outlining their arguments in a case that has already left a deep mark on a grieving university and community.
