Pepperdine University officials have identified the four students who were killed in a crash along the Pacific Coast Highway in an area known locally as ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ on Tuesday night.

Family members earlier identified Niamh Rolston, a 20-year-old business major who was due to celebrate her 21st birthday in November. She was set to graduate in 2024. 

The other victims were named by the school as Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. All four studied at Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts in Malibu. 

The horror unfolded around 8:30pm local time close to Malibu Pier and La Costa Beach when a 22-year-old driver is thought to have plowed into a group of parked cars and then hit the women, who were walking nearby. Two other people are being treated at a local hospital as a result of the crash. 

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department identified the driver as Fraser Michael Bohm. He is facing vehicular manslaughter charges but has been released from custody as the investigation continues. A spokesperson appeared to rule out street racing as playing a factor in the crash as no other car was involved. 

Niamh Ralston was one of four Pepperdine University students killed when a BMW crashed into a parked car and then hit them in Malibu on Tuesday night. She was due to celebrate her 21st birthday next month

Peyton Stewart recently completed a sought after internship at TikTok

Desilyn Williams, left, a native of Georgia, pictured on her LinkedIn page 

Asha Weir was due to graduate from the Seaver College of Liberal Arts in the Spring

Police surrounding the scene where the horror unfolded on Tuesday night 

 Witnesses said that Bohm was unscathed after the incident and attempted to leave the scene until onlookers apprehended him. A sheriff’s office spokesperson said that a DUI investigation is also taking place. 

Officials said that there was a Pepperdine fraternity party being held in the area, the official said that the victims had been planning to meet up with others at the time of the tragedy. 

According to her LinkedIn page, in addition to attending Pepperdine, Rolston also worked as cheer and gymnastic coach while Asha Weir was a writing tutor at the school in her spare time.

Peyton Stewart volunteered at an old folks home and recently completed an internship at TikTok. 

Deslyn Williams’s employer paid tribute to her in a heartbreaking Facebook post saying: ‘When you get the saddest news -21 miles of devastation – a road full of heart break.’ One commenter wrote: ‘Deslyn, RIP my queen.’ 

The area where the crash occurred is known to locals as ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ thanks to the high volume of incidents in the area.

The fire captain described the accident as ‘horrible’, adding: ‘Unfortunately, we have four DOA’s, we have four victims that did not survive.

‘The sheriff is out here and they’re going to have a massive investigation to find out what caused this. It’s a tough scene right now.’

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Debris is seen along the Pacific Coast Highway following the crash

A man walks by the makeshift shrine that has been set up for the victims of the horrific crash 

Malibu resident Joan Zoloth said the crash did not come as a surprise because of the roadside’s reputation for ‘drag racing’, which she said is ‘non-stop’ 

The shocking incident occurred on a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway known as ‘Dead Man’s Curve’

Pepperdine University revealed they have ‘reason to believe’ the victims were students at Seaver College

 As crews were on the scene Wednesday morning, one of the cars involved could still be seen by the side of the highway, where almost the entirety of the rear driver’s side was crumpled by the collision.

The crash is still under investigation, however officials have indicated that they believe speed was a factor.

Locals were quick to note that the area the crash happened has a notorious reputation for speeding, and the tragedy did not come as a surprise.

‘Since Covid, there has been an increase of incredible racing up and down this highway,’ said Malibu resident Joan Zoloth.

‘(It is) all night long, enough that you can hear it over the waves, and we live on the beach side.

‘It’s non-stop,’ she added, claiming that others in the area have complained about ‘drag racing’ along the stretch of road.

Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh also noted speed likely contributed to the tragedy.

‘It’s tough. Everybody picks up their speed… this is a very heavily populated pedestrian area, so it’s one of those scary things where it’s like ‘Hey people, slow down,’ she said.

Pepperdine University Vice President for Student Affairs Connie Horton said that the victims brought a ‘unique gift and spirit’ to the school. 

A prayer service for the victims will be held at Pepperdine on Thursday at 10am. 

‘Earlier today, we learned that four precious lives who brought joy and light to our campus were taken from us suddenly, tragically, and incomprehensibly,’ Pepperdine President Jim Gash wrote in a message to the university community. 

‘As we await further details from the investigation, we pray for our entire community,’ the university said on X.