Pepperdine crash driver fails to get murder charges tossed as DA says he drove over 100 mph

A California judge has denied a motion to throw out murder charges against a driver accused of killing four Pepperdine students, saying the driver knew the dangers associated with traveling at such a high rate of speed.

Fraser Bohm, who was 22 at the time of the 2023 crash, was charged with murder following the deaths of sorority girls Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21 Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21. 

Bohm’s vehicle — a BMW from his parents — was allegedly traveling at over 100 mph on a section of the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu called “dead man’s curve” when it collided with parked cars, sending the stationary vehicles into the four young women and killing them.

Bohm’s legal team recently moved to dismiss the murder charges, arguing he lost control of the car and therefore shouldn’t be held criminally liable for murder.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Thomas Rubinson refused to grant the motion in court Monday while Bohm sat stone-faced next to his high-powered attorney, Alan Jackson.

“Speed cannot be treated as malice,” Jackson said to the court.

Jackson also argued Bohm shouldn’t be “saddled with murder charges,” and that while the incident was a tragedy, “tragedy does not equal murder.” Jackson also insisted that his client was unaware his actions could lead to the deaths.

Judge Rubinson wasn’t buying it.

“We can all agree speeding is dangerous,” said Jackson.

“Can we agree that the faster you’re going you’re more likely to cause death?” said Rubinson, later adding, “There is no doubt that this man was driving extremely fast on PCH….close to, even above 100 mph.”

Bohm remains free on $4 million bail. Another hearing is set for Jan. 14.