MALIBU, Calif. - The driver involved in a tragic Malibu crash that claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students appeared in court on Wednesday morning and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder. Fraser Bohm, 22, is facing four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the incident.

During his court appearance, Bohm asserted that he was being pursued by an aggressive individual just moments before the deadly collision on the Pacific Coast Highway last week. According to investigators, Bohm was driving at an excessive speed when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with several parked cars, leading to the tragic deaths of the four women.

Following the crash, Bohm was initially released to allow detectives to gather additional evidence. However, on Tuesday, he was re-arrested by authorities. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department clarified the reason behind the re-arrest, stating, "When a case is presented to the District Attorney's Office, you need to present supporting evidence for the specific charges being requested for filing within 48 hours. In this specific case, the evidence including toxicology, speed analysis, execution of search warrants, etc. was still pending and took additional time to collect."

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to gather all relevant evidence, including toxicology reports, analysis of speed, and the execution of search warrants. The Sheriff's Department emphasizes the importance of thoroughness in order to present a compelling case to the District Attorney's Office.

The tragic crash, which took the lives of four Pepperdine University students, has left the community mourning and seeking justice for the victims. Both the prosecution and defense will present their cases as the trial progresses, unveiling the details surrounding the crash and determining the extent of Bohm's culpability.

The court proceedings will continue as Bohm faces the charges leveled against him. The bereaved families of the victims, the Pepperdine University community, and the Malibu residents affected by the tragedy patiently await justice and closure amidst the ongoing legal process.