Documentary Sheds Light on Dangerous Road
The seemingly serene Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, has a dark history of accidents and tragedy, earning it the ominous nickname “Blood Alley.”
The treacherous stretch where four college students tragically lost their lives recently is known as “Dead Man’s Curve.”
It has witnessed a significant number of accidents over the years, including a notable collision involving Caitlyn Jenner in 2015.
Recent Tragedy Strikes
This week, Pepperdine University students Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams lost their lives in a devastating crash on this perilous highway.
A 22-year-old local man, Fraser Bohm, was taken into custody in connection with the incident, accused of speeding through the area, losing control of his vehicle, and colliding with parked cars while the students were walking nearby.
A Highway with a Troubled Past
The Pacific Coast Highway has a notorious history, as highlighted in the documentary “21 Miles in Malibu” produced by Michael Shane.
Shane, who lost his daughter Emily in a tragic accident on this road in 2010, aimed to shed light on the highway’s dangers.
Despite numerous studies and grim statistics, the road’s infrastructure remains largely unchanged from the 1950s.
A Popular Destination with a Population Surge
Malibu, with a population of around 10,000, experiences an influx of tourists and day-trippers on weekends, contributing to traffic congestion.
The highway is infamous for its dangers, with over 400 collisions annually and 17 fatalities recorded since 2015.
Advocating for Change
Michael Shane, who raised funds through Kickstarter to produce the documentary, hoped to ignite change and raise awareness about the road’s lack of safety measures.
His daughter’s tragic death transformed his life, and he aimed to make people “angry” to push for safer conditions.
A Legacy of Tragedy
The Pacific Coast Highway has been the site of multiple accidents, including Caitlyn Jenner’s collision in 2015, a fatal incident involving rapper MC Supreme in the same year, and a devastating crash that claimed the lives of three Las Vegas teenagers in 2018.
More recent victims, such as Annabelle Ferrer Robinson and a motorcyclist involved in a harrowing collision, underscore the highway’s continued dangers.
Hopes for Safety Measures
In February, the California transport authority Caltrans pledged to redesign the highway with improved safety measures in mind, though these changes are still in the planning phase.
Despite its picturesque surroundings, the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu holds a dark history of accidents and heartbreak, with advocates pushing for safety improvements to prevent further tragedies.