MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: In the aftermath of a heart-wrenching incident at Pepperdine University, the community is coming to terms with the tragic loss of four students, including Niamh Rolston, a business major in the class of 2024.
The four students were killed in a horrific collision in Malibu on Tuesday, October 17.
Rolston, along with her peers Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, were members of the Alpha Phi sorority at Pepperdine. The incident occurred on around 8.30 am on Tuesday, when a vehicle collided with three parked cars, leading to the untimely demise of the promising students.
The driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Fraser Michael Bohm, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He is currently out on bail while the investigation unfolds, with authorities also exploring the possibility that he was driving under the influence.
Niamh Rolston's friend mourns her death
Rolston was a business major, and her LinkedIn profile attests to her dedication to her academic pursuits. Her sorority described her as someone who loved "reading, binging Netflix TV shows, and yoga."
Nikki Strawn, 31, shared her memories of Rolston, noting that they hadn't seen each other in years but kept in touch through Instagram. Strawn had been Rolston's gymnastics coach at Gymnastics Olympica USA Inc in 2014 when Rolston was a teenager.
“That’s what makes it so sad, you know, she was so determined and so motivated and she was always a role model to all the other girls,” Strawn claimed. “So it’s so sad that was cut short from her.”
She further highlighted Rolston's cheerful and friendly nature, describing her as someone who was a very “happy-go-lucky girl.” “She was a little bit shy when you first met her, but as soon as she opened up, she was very silly and always put a smile to your face,” she added.
What led to the tragic car crash?
The tragic incident unfolded at 8.30 pm when Bohm lost control of his dark-colored BMW on the Pacific Coast Highway, leading to a collision with the parked vehicles and the devastating loss of the four students.
Pepperdine University is still reeling from the tragedy, and President Jim Gash conveyed his heartfelt condolences, saying, "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."
