Lifestyle influencer Summer Wheaton has built a brand on Instagram that revolves around beauty product advice and faith-based positive affirmations.
On Monday, a senior court official ordered her to wear an unattractive new accessory: an alcohol ankle monitoring bracelet. The order is related to a fatal car accident Wheaton is allegedly in her On July 4, he collided with another driver on the Pacific Coast Expressway.
Wheaton, 33, appeared in court in a grey slack and grey top and did not speak in court, but her attorney, Elon Berk, was not guilty of charges of large vehicle manslaughter and caused serious physical harm while drunk.
Court Commissioner Sarah Ellenberg ordered Wheaton to register the SCRAM (Safe and Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) ankle bracelet device for the next two days. Wheaton was also ordered to appear in court at the end of April for a preliminary trial. She is still released on bail after she issued a $230,000 margin.
The allegations stem from the party’s holding in Nobu Malibu on July 4 last year. Wheaton left the party in Malibu and collided with the front of the car driven by biker Martin Okeke at 81 mph.
The guest list for the party includes Wiz Khalifa, Tom Sandoval, Mike Tyson, Lonzo Ball and other celebrities. Wheaton is one of the “Red, White and Boots” party crowds, as well as an illegal death lawsuit filed by Okeke’s family, according to prosecutors.
Before attending the party, Wheaton posted a photo of herself and her guests in her 2019 Mercedes-Benz.
Wheaton arrived with the guests and had a blood alcohol volume of 0.10 per person, according to court records.
Okeke travels with a teenage passenger as Wheaton crosses the center to tie up and hits his vehicle. Oak died in the crash. His passengers survived.
Civil lawsuit filed The event was hosted by Okeke’s last name as defendants Wheaton, Nobu Malibu, Hwood Group LLC and DBDJ LLC. Okeke’s family claimed Wheaton was hired to attend parties at PCH and was “promised to take an anesthetic.”
A Nobu attorney denied in December that Wheaton was hired or signed by a restaurant.
Less than a week before the party, Malibu City officials revoked the permit for the event, citing concerns about traffic and safety. The July 4 party continued despite the cancellation of the permit.
Nobu’s lawyers have previously told The Times that the city’s decision to revoke the permit was unfounded and that the restaurant complies with the city’s initial licensing conditions, including an agreement that guests will be crashed into the event and will not stop on site.
However, according to the lawsuit, Wheaton drove to the party.
The crash occurred in the summer of 2024, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not introduce the case to the District Attorney’s Office until October. Prosecutors asked for more information from Sheriff’s investigators and filed the case on February 10.
Wheaton cut social media posts after the crash, but seven days after she was charged, she posted a video discussing her faith without directly mentioning the fatal crash.
“You may not believe this, but your miracle is on the other end of your lowest moment. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve experienced it,” she said in a video posted on Instagram on February 17.
Los Angeles Times reporter Clara Harter contributed to the report.
