Authorities have arrested Summer Wheaton, a self-proclaimed wellness advocate and social media influencer, in connection with a fatal car crash in Malibu that killed a 44-year-old man, Martin Okeke, on July 4, 2024.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) confirmed that Wheaton was booked on several charges, including:
- Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
- Driving under the influence (DUI) with a BAC of 0.08% or more
Wheaton, who has over 101,000 followers on Instagram, surrendered to authorities at the Malibu/Lost Hills Station after an arrest warrant was issued.
How the Crash Unfolded
According to investigators, Wheaton was driving her 2019 Mercedes Benz eastbound on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) near Carbon Canyon, just a mile from Nobu Malibu, when she crossed the median and crashed head-on into Okeke’s 2020 Cadillac.
The impact of the crash was devastating:
- Martin Okeke died at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision.
- Wheaton and another passenger were hospitalized but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
- The accident forced a 12-hour closure of PCH as investigators examined the wreckage.
Legal Trouble Mounts for Wheaton
The arrest comes weeks after Okeke’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Wheaton. The lawsuit claims:
- Wheaton was “severely intoxicated and impaired” after allegedly attending a party hosted by the Hwood Group at Nobu Malibu.
- Both the Hwood Group and Nobu Malibu were named as defendants for allegedly allowing Wheaton to drive, despite knowing she was unsafe to operate a vehicle.
The lawsuit argues that Wheaton was given access to her car keys despite being visibly impaired, making both companies complicit in enabling the fatal crash.
Social Media Presence and Public Reaction
Wheaton, known for her wellness advocacy and lifestyle content, recently shared a video on December 17, 2024, just two weeks after the Okeke family filed the lawsuit. In the video, she displayed a scar on her arm, saying:
“The last few months have been hard.”
The post, which also promoted a 2025 faith-based planner priced at $34.99, was a paid partnership with Template to Life, a brand with minimal social media presence featuring mostly content with Wheaton herself.
The video received backlash online, with many criticizing her for promoting products while facing allegations tied to a fatal crash.
