Los Angeles influencer Summer Wheaton, 35, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence following a fatal crash on July 4, 2024. The collision claimed the life of 44-year-old Martin Okeke, a ride-share driver. Wheaton appeared in Van Nuys Superior Court on July 1 to address the charges.
Prosecutors allege that Wheaton was speeding in her 2019 Mercedes-Benz when she crossed the center reservation on Pacific Coast Highway and collided head-on with Okeke's Cadillac. Police reported that Wheaton was traveling at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the incident, which occurred around 10:30 p.m. Wheaton and a passenger in her vehicle were transported to a hospital, while Okeke was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mental health advocate and Instagram personality Summer Wheaton, who has nearly 100,000 followers, has consistently maintained her innocence.
Wheaton's defense attorneys have asserted that the collision was caused by Okeke, who was reportedly working as a ride-share driver at the time of the crash. Earlier on the night of the incident, Wheaton had attended a celebrity-attended party at Nobu Malibu.
In 2025, Okeke's widow, Kelechi, and other family members filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Wheaton, Nobu, and the party's organizer, Hollywood Group. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, alleging that Wheaton was "severely intoxicated and impaired" at the time of the accident.
Wheaton has filed a response denying all allegations in the civil suit, accusing Okeke's family of fraud and seeking damages and legal fees for herself. She contends that the family has not sustained any injury, damages, or loss. The family has established a GoFundMe page that has raised nearly $10,000 toward a $50,000 goal.
The crash and subsequent charges against Wheaton have highlighted ongoing community concerns regarding speed limits and safety regulations on Pacific Coast Highway. Residents have campaigned for stricter measures, particularly following a fatal crash in October 2023 that killed four Pepperdine University students. Official data indicates that at least 205 people have died on Pacific Coast Highway since 1975.