MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: Tragedy struck along the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu on a fateful Tuesday night, October 16, when an out-of-control BMW driver claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students.
The victims, all seniors at the university, were mowed down in a devastating accident that has left the community in mourning, as per New York Post. The accident spot is known locally as "Dead Man's Curve" on the Pacific Coast Highway in California.
Tragic incident claims lives of 4 Pepperdine University students
Around 8.30 pm on that ill-fated night, a 22-year-old driver, identified as Fraser Michael Bohm, lost control of his BMW while speeding along the treacherous stretch of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
The vehicle careened into several parked cars before plowing into a group of young women walking in the vicinity. Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams were the four seniors who tragically lost their lives in the accident.
While the Pepperdine community grapples with this profound loss, Jim Gash, the university's president, expressed his condolences: "To the students who loved, lived with, and were in community with the departed members of our Pepperdine family, my heart is broken with yours. I join you in your grief as we process this profound loss."
Bohm was apprehended and charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Although a DUI investigation is still pending, he was eventually released from custody due to lack of evidence.
Asha Weir was English major with passion for fashion and music
Among the victims, Asha Weir was an English major whose dreams and aspirations were suddenly extinguished. On her LinkedIn profile, she revealed her passion for fashion and music, showcasing her diverse interests, according to LA Times.
As her high school, Perkiomen Valley in suburban Philadelphia, expressed in a 2020 Facebook post, attending college near the ocean was a dream come true for Weir, who loved travel and adventure. She was renowned for her big heart, selflessness, and boundless kindness.
Weir's impact extended beyond her academic pursuits. She worked at Vivid Candi, a marketing agency, where she left an indelible mark. Wizner, the founder and CEO of Vivid Candi, attested to her exceptional qualities, describing her as a superstar and one of the most memorable individuals he had ever worked with.
Their paths first crossed when Wizner was at the helm of the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, and upon his departure, he advocated for Weir to join his team at Vivid Candi.
Approximately a month before the tragedy, Weir had decided to focus on her senior year, leaving the company in good standing. Her death impacted not only her colleagues but also Wizner's family. He shared how she had touched his wife's soul in the most positive way, emphasizing her pure and kind nature.
In Wizner's words, "If you get the big picture, she is the sweetest girl in the entire universe that did not deserve this." The sudden loss of Weir has left a void in the lives of those who knew her, emphasizing the magnitude of this heart-wrenching tragedy.
Pepperdine University to hold memorial services for deceased students
Pepperdine University organized a prayer service for its community members to come together and remember the lives lost on Thursday, October 19. The service provided a space for healing and support for the community.
Additionally, the university has plans in motion to hold a memorial service for each of the students, ensuring that their memories endure and their legacies live on.
In a touching gesture, the university will also posthumously confer college degrees upon Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, acknowledging their dedication and achievements. The world will remember these bright lives cut short in a tragedy that shocked the Pepperdine community and beyond.
