Man accused of murdering 4 students claims another driver chased him before crash

He faces murder charges after a devastating crash, but his lawyer says another driver’s actions played a critical role.

What really happened on that Malibu highway?

A Night of Unimaginable Tragedy

The lives of four Pepperdine University seniors were cut tragically short on the evening of October 17, 2023.

Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21, were all sorority sisters with bright futures ahead of them.

They were struck and killed while standing near parked cars on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Facing Murder Charges

Now, over a year and a half later, 23-year-old Fraser Bohm has been ordered by a judge to stand trial.

He faces four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

Prosecutors allege Bohm was driving his BMW at an incredibly high speed when the crash occurred.

“Dead Man’s Curve” and Extreme Speed

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on a notorious stretch of the PCH often called “Dead Man’s Curve.”

Investigators claim data from the BMW’s “black box” recorder shows Bohm was travelling between 93 and 104 mph in a zone clearly marked with a 45 mph speed limit.

It’s alleged that Bohm lost control of his vehicle, swerving onto the shoulder and hitting three parked cars before ultimately striking the four women.

Conflicting Stories Emerge

While the prosecution paints a picture of extreme recklessness, witness accounts presented during the preliminary hearing reportedly offered differing versions of events leading up to the crash.

This complexity adds another layer to the already devastating situation.

The judge ultimately decided there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, binding Bohm over on the serious charges.

Defense Challenges Murder Charge

Bohm’s lawyer, Michael Kraut, has strongly contested the murder charges, highlighting the difference between the standard of proof needed for a preliminary hearing versus a full trial conviction.

Kraut, a former prosecutor with extensive experience, spoke about the high bar for a murder conviction in such cases.

“It’s a very low standard to make it through the preliminary hearing to bind you for trial,” Kraut told Fox News Digital.

“It’s not the highest standard, which is beyond a reasonable doubt, at trial.”

He emphasized the profound impact of the event on everyone involved.

“This is a horrible, horrible case for everybody — the victims, families,” Kraut stated. “It’s a horrific event. And my client’s family and my client feel distraught over what happened.”

The Road Rage Allegation

Here’s where the defense’s argument takes a crucial turn: Kraut alleges that Bohm was not simply speeding recklessly, but was involved in a road rage incident moments before the collision.

He claims another driver was aggressively chasing Bohm.

Kraut said one of the witnesses admitted to chasing Bohm in a road rage incident he says contributed to the crash.

The defense argues this chase, combined with other factors, led to the loss of control.

Kraut also pointed to conflicting speed estimates, suggesting some witnesses corroborated Bohm’s claim of driving closer to 70 mph, not over 100 mph.

“Every fact that he gave was corroborated,” Kraut asserted, referring to his client’s account.

Furthermore, the defense introduced claims about blinding lights and another driver’s sudden maneuver.

Kraut added, “There was somebody who had their lights shining directly into his eyes, and he had to move over, and that was shown on a video where somebody pulled into the center median.”

“The lawyer added a ‘woman who was in front of him saw those lights, and she moved over part of the lane and honked at him, and that startled him and that moved him in. And that’s when the crash happened.'”

The defense aims to argue these external factors, particularly the alleged chase, significantly contributed to the tragic outcome, questioning the appropriateness of murder charges.

What Happens Next

Fraser Bohm is scheduled for arraignment on July 1, where he will formally enter a plea to the charges.

The case will then proceed towards trial, where a jury will ultimately weigh the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense to determine Bohm’s culpability in the heartbreaking deaths of the four Pepperdine students.