Advocating for Safer Roads: Addressing the Tragic Loss of Four Pepperdine Students in Malibu
The Malibu community is reeling after a devastating accident on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students. Surveillance cameras outside a Malibu home captured the heart-wrenching moment when a 22-year-old driver in a dark-colored BMW sped by on PCH, seconds before crashing into the young women, causing their untimely deaths.
The fatal crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the 21600 block of PCH, near La Costa Beach and east of the Malibu Pier. Rob Daniels, the homeowner whose cameras recorded the incident, expressed his deep sorrow for the victims. The four young women, all identified as seniors at Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts, tragically lost their lives just a stone’s throw away from his residence. Daniels also highlighted the dangerous nature of the stretch of PCH outside his door, underscoring that this was not the first incident.
It is disheartening to hear that similar accidents have occurred in the area. Daniels recounted a past incident involving a piano teacher who was rear-ended while parked near his home. These incidents serve as a stark reminder that immediate action is needed to address the safety concerns surrounding this section of PCH.
According to investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the driver, Fraser Michael Bhom, was speeding westbound on PCH in his dark-colored BMW when he lost control of his vehicle. The car sideswiped several parked vehicles before crashing into the young women who were walking in the area. Tragically, all four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other victims, yet to be identified, were transported to a nearby hospital in unknown conditions.
The aftermath of the accident revealed that Bhom, the 22-year-old driver, was subjected to a field sobriety test. He is now facing manslaughter charges, as authorities believe his actions directly contributed to the fatal crash. Chris Hanson, a neighbor who knows Bhom, emphasized that the incident was an accident and not related to street racing. While recognizing Bhom’s fault, Hanson described him as a good kid who is well respected within the community.
Former mayor of Malibu, Jefferson Wagner, has called for immediate action to prevent such tragedies from occurring again. He believes that measures need to be taken to make this particular stretch of PCH safer. Wagner highlighted the loss of the California Highway Patrol in Malibu after the city gained independence, expressing the need for increased CHP presence in the area. By improving safety measures and ensuring regular monitoring and enforcement, we can strive to prevent such devastating incidents from recurring.
The loss of these four young lives is a painful reminder of the importance of road safety. As a community, we must come together to demand change and advocate for safer roads. It is our shared responsibility to push for improvements, prevent future tragedies, and honor the memory of those we have lost.
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