Four women who were tragically killed in a horror roadside crash have been identified as Pepperdine University students.
The college revealed that they have “reason to believe” that the victims were students at Seaver College, the university’s liberal arts school, who were killed Tuesday evening when an allegedly speeding BMW driver passed three parked vehicles onto the Pacific Coast Highway.
“We continue to work with law enforcement and care for loved ones affected by this tragic event,” the council said tweeted on Wednesday.
“As we await further details from the investigation, we pray for our entire community. The university will provide updates as we receive additional information.”
Two others were rushed to hospital in unknown condition and the driver, a 22-year-old man not formally identified by police, was taken into custody on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
Pepperdine University revealed that they have “reason to believe” the victims were students at Seaver College
Horrifying footage reveals a number of wrecked vehicles along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, after a speeding driver crashed into three other cars, killing four women
Images from crews on the scene the next morning revealed one of the vehicles involved on the side of the road, where the rear driver’s side of the car was crumpled from the impact
The horrific accident occurred around 8.30pm on Tuesday, when an allegedly speeding motorist lost control of his BMW before hitting three parked vehicles along a dangerous stretch of road known to locals as ‘Dead Man’s Curve’.
The four women were walking along the Pacific Coast Highway when the crash occurred, and all four were pronounced dead at the scene.
KNX News reported Wednesday that there may have been a Pepperdine University fraternity party in the area the night of the crash.
The horror crash closed much of the Pacific Coast Highway on Wednesday morning, a Los Angeles fire chief said KTL.
The fire chief described the accident as ‘terrible’, adding: ‘Unfortunately we have four DOAs, we have four victims who did not survive.
“The sheriff is here and they’re going to do a full-scale investigation to find out what caused this. It’s a difficult situation right now.’
When emergency services arrived on the scene on Wednesday morning, one of the cars involved could still be seen on the side of the highway, with almost the entire rear driver’s side of the vehicle crumpled in the impact.
The crash remains under investigation, but officials have indicated they believe speed was a factor.
The crash remains under investigation, but officials and local residents were quick to determine that speed was likely a factor in the tragedy
Four women were pronounced dead at the scene, two others were rushed to hospital and a 22-year-old suspect has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
The shocking incident took place on a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway known as ‘Dead Man’s Curve’
Malibu resident Joan Zoloth said the crash was not a surprise because of the roadside’s reputation for “drag racing,” which she said is “non-stop.”
Locals were quick to note that the area where the accident occurred has a notorious reputation for speeding, and the tragedy came as no surprise.
“Since Covid, the number of incredible races up and down this highway has increased,” said Malibu resident Joan Zoloth.
‘(It’s) all night long, enough that you can hear it over the waves, and we live on the beach side.
“It’s non-stop,” she added, claiming others in the area have complained about “drag racing” along the stretch of road.
Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher-Berkoh also noted that speed likely contributed to the tragedy.
‘It is heavy. Everyone is increasing their speed…this is a very densely populated pedestrian area, so it’s one of those scary things where it’s like, ‘Hey people, slow down,'” she said.