Members of Malibu, Pepperdine communities demand change on PCH after 4 students killed in crash

MALIBU, Calif. - The city of Malibu heard from groups of people demanding safety improvements on Pacific Coast Highway after four Pepperdine University students were killed in a crash last week. 

The sheriff's department said speed may have played a role in the deadly crash, but the investigation is ongoing. 

Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21, all seniors at Pepperdine's Seaver College of Liberal Arts, were killed on October 17 while standing or walking in the 21600 block of Pacific Coast Highway at night.

Sheriff's officials said a driver who was apparently speeding lost control while driving a dark-colored sedan westbound on PCH, swerving onto the north shoulder and slamming into three parked vehicles. Those vehicles then struck the four women, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives made an impassioned plea to the public to slow down. While PCH safety was never included in the Oct. 23 agenda, multiple people used their time during the public comment portion of the meeting to call for change.

SUGGESTED:

• Pepperdine holds memorial service for students killed in PCH crash
• Officials look to increase safety along PCH after 4 Pepperdine students killed
• Pepperdine honors PCH crash victims in emotional vigil service
• Malibu crash: 4 Pepperdine students killed on PCH identified

They say this stretch of PCH known to locals as "Dead Man's Curve" is the scene of too many crashes that have claimed lives. 

The dangerous stretch of highway was also highlighted in the documentary "21 Miles in Malibu," which was released earlier this year. The documentary was released by film producer Michel Shane, whose credits include "I, Robot," and "Catch Me if You Can."