Two Killed in Fiery McLaren Crash in Irvine
Two Killed in Fiery McLaren Crash in Irvine
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Key Points
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South OC Cars & Coffee confirmed Wehr’s death in an Instagram post, describing him as their “darling son and brother” and saying the crash occurred just after midnight.
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Wehr’s mother, Sarah, remembered him as a “magnificent man” whose love for his family and friends was “second to none,” writing that she hoped he was “getting a beer with Gramps” as they watched over the family.
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The weekly car gathering began in the parking lot of a San Clemente Target before growing enough to move to the Outlets at San Clemente; its Saturday events were held from 9 to 11 a.m., rain or shine.
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The Irvine Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is handling the case and asked anyone with information to contact Detective David Juarez at 949-724-7047.
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The passenger’s identity had not been released, while Article 5 reported that family social-media posts identified Wehr as the McLaren’s driver.
James Wehr, a 27-year-old car influencer and co-founder of South OC Cars & Coffee, was killed in a fiery single-vehicle crash in Irvine early Saturday morning. VCstar reported that 22-year-old Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, a social media personality, also died when the 2019 McLaren veered off the road, struck a curb, and slammed into a tree around 12:18 a.m., splitting in half and bursting into flames.
The crash marks a tragic end for Wehr, who had built South OC Cars & Coffee into a massive weekly gathering that draws thousands of vehicles. Just an hour before the crash, Wehr appeared to post images of the McLaren being stopped by police in Newport Beach, though the reason for that traffic stop remains unclear.
A Car Community Leader Cut Short
James Wehr co-founded South OC Cars & Coffee with his father, turning it into Orange County's most popular automotive meetup. According to The Californian, the event started in a San Clemente Target parking lot before growing large enough to move to the Outlets at San Clemente. Saturday gatherings ran from 9 to 11 a.m., rain or shine, attracting car lovers from across the region.
His mother, Sarah, remembered him as a "magnificent man" whose love for family and friends was "second to none." She wrote that she hoped he was "getting a beer with Gramps" as they watched over the family from above. South OC Cars & Coffee confirmed his death on Instagram, calling him their "darling son and brother."
High-Speed Crash in the Dead of Night
The 2019 McLaren accelerated from a traffic light and quickly veered off course around 12:18 a.m. on Saturday morning. Record Net reported the vehicle struck a curb and collided with a tree with such force that it split in two before igniting in flames. The impact was catastrophic enough to trap both occupants in the wreckage.
Investigators have not determined all circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether another vehicle was involved. The Irvine Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team is handling the case. Anyone with information can contact Detective David Juarez at 949-724-7047.
Questions Remain About the Hours Before
An hour before the fatal crash, Wehr posted images on social media showing the McLaren being stopped by police in Newport Beach. The reason for that traffic stop has not been disclosed by authorities. The timing raises questions about what happened in the hour between the police encounter and the deadly collision.
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