Who is Summer Wheaton? Influencer arrested for fatal DUI crash after Nobu Malibu party

Summer Wheaton, an entrepreneur and social media influencer, had been arrested for her alleged involvement in a deadly DUI crash on July 4, 2024, in Malibu, California. Wheaton, 33; had been at a private party at Nobu Malibu before she allegedly got behind the wheel drunk and caused a head-on collision that killed 44-year-old rideshare driver Martin Okeke.

After months of probing, authorities issued an arrest warrant, and Summer Wheaton surrendered on February 24, 2025. She is now charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol. The case has generated public interest; especially in the role of influencers and the ramifications of drunk driving.

The accident has also prompted a wrongful death suit brought by Okeke's family, which includes Wheaton; as well as Nobu Malibu and the event promoters. As court cases continue, the case continues to be in the public eye.

Summer Wheaton established a career in entertainment and business before her arrest

Summer Wheaton was born in Los Angeles, California on July 20, 1991. She is a business and entertainment graduate with modeling and entrepreneurial experience. She graduated from Hampton University and has collaborated with companies like BET, CBS, and TopShop.

Summer Wheaton is the CEO and founder of two startups and a non-profit wellness and community organization. She has had a robust online presence; with over 101,000 followers on Instagram.

Before the accident, she was famous for her lifestyle, personal growth, and business content. Whereas Summer Wheaton had established a career in several sectors; the recent allegations against her have eclipsed her public image, resulting in serious legal and social repercussions.

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The accident involved a head-on crash that resulted in the death of a rideshare driver

The deadly crash occurred on Pacific Coast Highway sometime around 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2024. Summer Wheaton, who had been out to an event at Nobu Malibu for the evening; was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz and allegedly veered across the center median before slamming head-on into a 2020 Cadillac SUV.

Martin Okeke, the driver of a rideshare car, was driving the Cadillac. He was found dead on the scene of the accident. Another Okeke vehicle passenger was injured and taken to UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center for treatment. Wheaton was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries as well.

Authorities said that alcohol and speeding are suspected to have contributed to the accident. The investigation, which took several months, finally resulted in an arrest warrant. Summer Wheaton turned herself in, to the police on February 24, 2025; and was booked into the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California. She was released on a $250,000 bond and is set to appear in court as the legal process continues.

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A lawsuit alleges the party was unauthorized and led to the crash

In December 2024, Martin Okeke's family sued Wheaton in a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Summer Wheaton was "severely intoxicated and impaired" when she caused the crash.

Further, the lawsuit identifies Nobu Malibu and the event hosts, the H.Wood Group, because they hosted the party without a valid permit. Their application for a permit had been declined by Malibu city officials beforehand; citing potential traffic jam concerns and safety issues.

Regardless of this, the event was hosted and said to have been attended by celebrities and high-profile attendees. The case claims that the organizers were responsible for the events that led to the crash by providing liquor at the unauthorized event. The court case continues; with Wheaton's defense not commenting publicly on the allegations.

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The case has raised questions about responsibility and safety in public

The arrest of Summer Wheaton on charges related to the deadly DUI accident has been a cause for concern regarding accountability and the dangers of drunk driving. As the legal process goes on, the accident is a reminder of what can happen with drunk driving.

The public interest in the case is still high, considering Wheaton's popularity on social media and the fact that the establishments involved are popular. The case will probably impact debates on the role of public figures and event organizers in ensuring public safety as more information is revealed in court.

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