As community mourns loss of 4 Pepperdine University seniors, students gather in prayer
Four students were tragically killed this week in an accident in Malibu, California while walking along Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway. The victims were identified by Pepperdine as four female students enrolled at Pepperdine’s Seaver College of Liberal Art: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams. The students were walking to meet friends at a fraternity party. Prayer vigils and services have been held throughout the week at the Christian college overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Pepperdine President & CEO, Jim Gash issued a statement pointing the college community and those in the shock of loss saying,
“When the weight of grief feels insurmountable and we find ourselves walking in a dark valley, my hope is that we experience the comfort and presence of our God who promises to walk with us and give us strength. As we walk this path together, I pray we gain strength and comfort from one another. In the embrace of our community, we also pray for the fortitude to navigate this painful journey knowing that we are not alone.”
The tragic accident took place after a 22-year old driver likely sped through a stretch of road named, “Dead Man’s Curve” because of the amount of accidents near that stretch of road. Frazier Michael Bohm, 22, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Bohm was speeding in a dark-colored BMW west, lost control, sideswiped at least three parked vehicles, and then crashed into a group of people walking in the area outside of Los Angeles.
Gash continued a statement, “In the days ahead, we will come together in meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the lives of the remarkable individuals lost to this unthinkable tragedy. We will harness the strength found in the bonds of friendship and the community that unites us. And we will take comfort in the Lord who provides us with the supernatural strength and peace required to carry on. I know that God holds Pepperdine in his healing and loving arms and protects our community as we grieve and honor these dear loved ones.”
Pepperdine has maintained its Christian mission while developing into one of the top 100 law and business schools in the nation.
Pepperdine student paper, the Graphic shared photos of the prayer vigil held in honor of the students killed.
