Malibu influencer in lethal 4th of July crash blames rideshare driver

Instagram influencer Summer time Wheaton has pleaded not responsible to prices stemming from a deadly Malibu crash prosecutors say occurred after she left a celebrity-packed Fourth of July social gathering at Nobu.

Wheaton, 35, entered the plea in Van Nuys Superior Court docket on prices of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of driving underneath the affect stemming from the July 4, 2024, crash, in accordance with KTLA.

Prosecutors allege Wheaton attended an Independence Day social gathering hosted by Bootsy Bellows on the swanky Malibu sushi restaurant earlier than getting behind the wheel of her 2019 Mercedes-Benz round 10:30 p.m.

The occasion drew a number of celebrities, together with rapper Wiz Khalifa, rapper Tyga and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Authorities allege Wheaton crossed the middle median on Pacific Coast Freeway close to the 22000 block and slammed head-on right into a westbound 2020 Cadillac SUV pushed by 44-year-old Martin Okeke, who was working as a rideshare driver on the time.

Wheaton’s lawyer has disputed prosecutors’ model of occasions, arguing the head-on collision was attributable to Okeke moderately than the influencer.

Okeke was pronounced useless on the scene, whereas Wheaton and a passenger within the Cadillac have been taken to a hospital with accidents.

Investigators beforehand mentioned velocity and alcohol have been believed to have performed a task within the crash, although the investigation remained ongoing.

Following Okeke’s loss of life, family members launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist his spouse and kids with funeral bills, describing him as a faithful husband and father recognized for his generosity and unwavering love for his household.

As of Tuesday the household has raised practically $10,000 of the $50,000 objective.

The deadly collision additionally sparked scrutiny of Nobu Malibu after metropolis officers revealed that they had denied permits for the Fourth of July occasion over unresolved site visitors and public security issues. Regardless of the denial, the social gathering went forward anyway.

On the time, Malibu Metropolis Supervisor Steve McClary mentioned organizers had been warned that continuing with the occasion would violate the town’s municipal code and will lead to enforcement motion.

The town’s code enforcement division later opened an investigation into the restaurant over the gathering.

Wheaton, who branded herself on-line as a wellness influencer, had greater than 100,000 Instagram followers earlier than the crash.

In keeping with KTLA, her following has since dropped by roughly 5,500 customers, and he or she beforehand made her Instagram account non-public and eliminated her private web site within the aftermath of the lethal wreck.

If convicted, Wheaton might face years behind bars.

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