Los Angeles influencer Summer Wheaton, 35, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence over a crash that killed 44-year-old father Martin Okeke. Prosecutors allege she was drunk and speeding as she drove away from a lavish July 4, 2024 party near Nobu Malibu, making this a closely watched case involving a public figure with a large online following.

Wheaton, who describes herself as a 'wellness advocate' and has almost 100,000 Instagram followers, appeared at Van Nuys Superior Court on 1 July. Police say her white 2019 Mercedes-Benz was travelling at 81mph in a 45mph zone when it crossed the central reservation on Pacific Coast Highway and struck Okeke's Cadillac at around 10.30pm. Wheaton and a passenger were taken to hospital, while Okeke died at the scene. She has consistently maintained she was not responsible.