Fraser Michael Bohm: Released BMW driver who killed 4 college students faces murder charge and $8 million bail
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: A BMW driver in his early 20s, who is accused of vehicular manslaughter and has been under the scanner ever since he was released from custody, now faces a murder case and $8 million bail.
The news of 22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm's arrest comes after the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continued investigating the catastrophic October 17 incident which claimed the lives of four college seniors in Malibu, California.
When was Fraser Michael Bohm arrested?
Bohm was arrested at around 2.30 pm on Tuesday, October 24, and booked into LASD’s Lost Hills Station with a hefty bail amount that evening.
The arrest took place one week to the day that Bohm allegedly sped down Pacific Coast Highway in a BMW, “lost control of his vehicle,” hit three parked vehicles and killed Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21.
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The victims were reportedly college seniors and sorority sisters studying at Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts.
Bohm, formerly known locally as a baseball player at Oaks Christian High School, turned 22 just a day before the deadly crash.
Bohm’s booking on suspicion of four counts of murder charges followed Los Angeles deputies’ execution of search warrants, a traffic investigation of the speed he was driving at and toxicology testing.
The authorities explained why Fraser Michael Bohm was earlier released from prison
“When a case is presented to the District Attorney’s Office, you need to present supporting evidence for the specific charges being requested for filing within 48 hours,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said, explaining why Bohm was initially released from custody last week.
“In this specific case, the evidence including toxicology, speed analysis, execution of search warrants, etc was still pending and took additional time to collect.”
When did the incident happen?
The crash occurred at around 8.30 pm on October 17 in the 21600 block of Pacific Coast Highway and the victims died at the scene, according to the investigators.
At a press conference last week, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Captain Jennifer Seetoo said Bohm was traveling westbound in his BMW when he “lost control of his vehicle and swerved towards the shoulder of the north side of Pacific Coast Highway,” killing Rolston, Stewart, Weir, and Williams.
Seetoo urged the community and elected officials to enact policy changes that will prevent fatal crashes like this from happening again, saying that “Too many people on this stretch of the highway […] have been killed.”
“We have to look at law enforcement differently. We have got to change with the times,” the captain urged according to Law and Crime.
“That’s my call to action, to the community. Let’s partner together to save lives. Elected officials, I need your help. Let’s partner together and save lives,” the captain added.
What did Pepperdine University president Jim Gash say?
Pepperdine University President Jim Gash previously called the deaths of Rolston, Stewart, Weir, and Williams “an unimaginable tragedy” that “no parent would ever want to endure.”
“You are not alone,” Gash said, adding “Pepperdine stands with you as you traverse these challenging waters. 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.”
Pepperdine University’s statement identifying the victims said each “brought a unique gift and spirit to the University.”
“[W]e deeply grieve the unfulfilled hopes and aspirations of our precious community members,” the school said.
The sheriff’s department vowed to bring justice to the victims
“These types of traffic investigations are very extensive and there are various investigative factors that are involved. Our detectives worked diligently to compile all the evidence needed so they could file the maximum charges allowed under California law. The Malibu / Lost Hills Station detectives are working closely with a district attorney who specializes in prosecution for fatal collisions,” authorities said.
“The Sheriff’s Department is relentlessly working to ensure we get justice for the victims’ families. Our thoughts are with each family, friends, and students of each victim during this difficult time,” they added.