Influencer Accused Of Killing Man In Drunken July 4th Crash: Deputies

MALIBU, CA — A social media influencer accused of killing a man in a head-on drunken driving collision after leaving a party at Nobu Malibu on the Fourth of July has been arrested, according to authorities.

Summer Wheaton, 33, turned herself in to deputies Monday afternoon. She was booked on charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing bodily injury and driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher causing bodily injury, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Her arrest comes after a monthlong investigation into the fatal July 4, 2024 crash on Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon that killed another motorist, 44-year-old Martin Okeke.

Wheaton was driving eastbound in her Mercedes-Benz when she crossed the median and collided head-on with the Cadillac driven by Okeke, a rideshare driver, deputies said.

Okeke's family has since sued Wheaton and Nobu, claiming that the influencer was “severely intoxicated and impaired” while driving, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Wheaton describes herself as a founder, speaker and wellness advocate on her website. Her LinkedIn page lists her as the founder of Survivor's Kit, a nonprofit "dedicated to making healthcare simple and more accessible to everyone." It also lists her as a Nike Women fitness model.

She has over 100,000 Instagram followers.

On the Fourth of July, Nobu hosted a party despite the fact that the city of Malibu rescinded the event's permit days before the holiday, citing concerns about traffic and safety. The hosts ultimately held the event, the lawsuit claims.

Nobu attorneys told the Times the city's decision to rescind the permit was unfounded.

Guests of Nobu's “Red, White and Bootsy" party included Wiz Khalifa, Mike Tyson, Tyga, the Malibu Times reported.

Wheaton's bail was set at $230,000, and she posted bond hours after her arrest, according to jail records.

City News Service contributed to this report.