John Jefferson
Summer Wheaton, inset, was allegedly behind the wheel of a car involved in a fatal head-on crash in Malibu, California, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo of the scene of the crash from Samantha Bravo of The Malibu Times; Wheaton’s photo from Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA — Sipa via AP Images)
A social media influencer was allegedly behind the wheel of a car involved in a head-on collision that killed a ride-share driver in Malibu, California, on July 4.
Summer Wheaton, 32, was behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz that crossed into lanes of oncoming traffic on Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon in Malibu on Thursday night, killing the driver of a Cadillac Escalade and injuring a passenger in that vehicle. The Malibu Times identified the driver as Martin Okeke, 44.
The crash came to light after the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a traffic collision that night at 10:17 p.m., authorities said in a news release.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2019 Mercedes-Benz, traveling east on Pacific Coast Highway, crossed the center median for unknown reasons and collided head-on with a 2020 Cadillac traveling west. The driver of the Cadillac died at the scene. Wheaton and a passenger in the Cadillac were hospitalized. The crash closed that stretch of road for nearly 10 hours.
Wheaton hasn’t spoken publicly about the crash. The Los Angeles Times reported she didn’t return requests for comment.
The Malibu Times reported that before the crash, Wheaton had been at an exclusive party attended by the likes of Wiz Khalifa and Mike Tyson at a local restaurant.
The Malibu Daily News posted a video on X reportedly showing Wheaton dancing at that party.
NEW from @malibudailynews Footage of social media influencer Summer Wheaton, 32, dancing at the un-permitted Nobu event on Fourth of July. The video was posted on instagram.
Wheaton is the driver of the Mercedes that crossed the median and crashed head-on into the Escalade… pic.twitter.com/A6Jwm3sGjG
— Cece Woods (@ceceswoods) July 9, 2024
LASD Malibu Liaison Sgt. Christopher Soderlund wouldn’t confirm the report, saying it is part of the investigation, The Malibu Times reported.
In a statement, Malibu Mayor Steve Uhring expressed sympathy and concern over the crash on a dangerous stretch of PCH.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from last night’s accident,” said the statement. “This heartbreaking incident underscores the importance of the City’s ongoing efforts to address safety on Pacific Coast Highway.”
The Instagram account for Wheaton, who has described herself as a nonprofit founder, speaker and wellness advocate, has been made private.
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