Current:Home > ScamsSouthern California university mourns loss of four seniors killed in Pacific Coast Highway crash -AssetPath
Southern California university mourns loss of four seniors killed in Pacific Coast Highway crash
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:01:49
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California university wrestling with the deaths of four seniors who were struck by a car sought to comfort students and faculty Thursday in a prayer service that recalled the young women as “bright lights with promise and aspirations.”
Provost Jay Brewster gave that description of the Pepperdine University’s Seaver College of Liberal Arts students and read each one of their names aloud: Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir and Deslyn Williams. The four were among at least six pedestrians authorities said were hit by a speeding BMW as they walked along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, only a few miles from the private Christian university.
Brewster said the university was in despair from the deaths.
Sobbing could be heard from the crowd gathered at the school’s gymnasium as speakers urged members of the campus community to turn to God and each other for solace at a time of heartbreak.
“Keep loving each other through this tragedy,” said Tim Spivey, associate vice president for spiritual life at the school. “We are among God’s greatest gifts to each other.”
The students were walking along the coastal highway at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when the driver of a BMW lost control and sideswiped at least three parked vehicles before crashing into the girls and hitting two others, authorities said. The four women were pronounced dead at the scene and the two others were taken to a hospital with injuries.
Weir was from Philadelphia and studying English, while Rolston, from Los Angeles, and Stewart, from New York, were both studying business, according to CBS Los Angeles. Williams was from an Atlanta suburb and looking into becoming a veterinarian.
The 22-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. The crash is under investigation.
“None of this makes any sense,” university President Jim Gash said. “Our world has been shattered.”
“We must grieve and hope at the same time,” he added.
veryGood! (14)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Lower auto prices are finally giving Americans a break after years of inflationary increases
- Ban on gender-affirming care for minors allowed to take effect in Indiana
- They’re a path to becoming governor, but attorney general jobs are now a destination, too
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Olympic gymnastics champ Suni Lee will have to wait to get new skill named after her
- Boston Celtics misidentify Lauren Holiday USWNT kit worn by Jrue Holiday
- Helicopter’s thermal imaging camera helps deputies find child in Florida swamp
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- How often is leap year? Here's the next leap day after 2024 and when we'll (eventually) skip one
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Oreo to debut 2 new flavors inspired by mud pie, tiramisu. When will they hit shelves?
- US Rep. Lauren Boebert’s son arrested in connection with string of vehicle break-ins, police say
- Tyler Perry halts $800 million studio expansion after 'mind-blowing' AI demonstration
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Kellogg's CEO says Americans facing inflation should eat cereal for dinner. He got mixed reactions.
- Rebecca Ferguson Says She Confronted “Absolute Idiot” Costar Who Made Her Cry on Set
- West Virginia Senate OKs bill requiring schools to show anti-abortion group fetal development video
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Gary Sinise Receives Support From Alyssa Milano, Katharine McPhee and More After Son’s Death
Sony to lay off 900 PlayStation employees, 8% of its global workforce
'The Voice': Watch the clash of country coaches Reba and Dan + Shay emerge as they bust out blocks
Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
EAGLEEYE COIN: Senator proposes raising starting point for third-party payment networks
Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch this season after major elbow surgery, but he can still hit. Here’s why
Florida's response to measles outbreak troubles public health experts