Driver Arrested After Striking Four Women in Malibu, Authorities Say
MALIBU, Calif. — A driver has been arrested after a tragic incident in which his car struck four women who were standing along the side of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The driver also collided with several parked vehicles in the process.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the 21500 block of Pacific Coast Highway. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the male driver lost control of his vehicle, crashing into parked cars twice. Tragically, when the driver hit the second set of parked vehicles, he fatally struck four females who were standing on the side of the road.
Two other victims were immediately rushed to a hospital with their condition currently unknown.
Initially detained, the driver underwent a sobriety test, with authorities stating that drugs and alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the incident.
However, on Wednesday morning, the driver was officially arrested. The suspect’s identity has not been released, and the charges against him have yet to be announced.
At least four vehicles were involved in the collisions, with bodies visible at the scene along with severely damaged vehicles. Authorities from the Los Angeles County Fire Department informed Eyewitness News that excessive speed was likely a major factor in the crash.
Residents in the area have raised concerns about street racing, and authorities are now investigating whether two drivers may have been engaged in a race at the time of the collision. Malibu resident Joan Zoloth expressed her worries, mentioning that since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an alarming increase in racing incidents along that stretch of PCH.
“People in the community have complained and are really concerned,” Zoloth shared. “And then you have something like this.”
Pacific Coast Highway was subsequently closed in both directions between Las Flores Canyon Road and Carbon Canyon Road. As of Wednesday morning, the highway remained closed, with no estimate as to when it would reopen.
The devastating accident has left an impactful scene, with L.A. County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher Berkoh describing it as “a lot of carnage, just metal carnage.” She added, “Anytime you come and there’s four bodies that didn’t survive, that’s a tough one to watch.”