Car influencer and South OC Cars & Coffee co-founder James Wehr has died in a fiery McLaren crash alongside 22-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, a Florida woman who had reportedly flown to California to meet him for their first in-person date.
James, 27, was driving a 2019 McLaren in Irvine, California, during the early hours of Sunday, September 13, when the vehicle lost control, struck a curb and slammed into a tree before bursting into flames.
Dashcam footage obtained by TMZ captured the terrifying final moments. The McLaren can be seen accelerating before appearing to travel over a wet section of road. The vehicle then brakes, swerves and crashes into a tree, producing a massive fireball.
Both Wehr and Kramer died in the crash.
James Wehr and Lexi Kramer killed in Irvine crash
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The fatal collision happened near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine shortly after midnight.
According to Irvine police, the McLaren accelerated after a traffic light turned green before the driver lost control. The vehicle struck a curb and then crashed into a tree, with the impact reportedly splitting the car in two and causing it to catch fire.
Police initially said evidence indicated that a woman was in the passenger seat shortly before the collision. Kramer was later identified as the second victim by her family.
Authorities have said speed was a factor in the crash, although the full investigation remains ongoing.
More recently, Irvine police told TMZ that investigators are examining every possible factor that could have contributed to the collision, including Wehr’s activities and possible alcohol consumption before the crash. Toxicology results and other evidence are expected to form part of the investigation.
Who was James Wehr?
Wehr was a prominent figure in Southern California’s automotive community and co-founded South OC Cars & Coffee in San Clemente.
The weekly gathering became a major attraction for car enthusiasts, bringing together luxury, exotic and classic vehicles. Wehr had attended one of the regular events on the day of his death.
His social media accounts were also heavily focused on cars and the automotive lifestyle, helping him build a following among enthusiasts.
Just hours before the fatal crash, Wehr had reportedly been stopped by police in Newport Beach over a loud exhaust. TMZ reported that the traffic stop occurred at about 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, September 12.
He later posted an image appearing to show a police cruiser.
Lexi Kramer had flown from Florida to California
Kramer, 22, was from Lakeland, Florida, and had been identified by her family as a Hooters calendar model and car enthusiast.
According to relatives who spoke with TMZ and other media outlets, Kramer and Wehr met through Instagram and had been communicating for about a month before they met in person.
Her family said Wehr paid for her flight from Florida to California, where the pair spent the weekend together.
The two reportedly had breakfast, went out for dinner and drinks, and attended Wehr’s South OC Cars & Coffee event before the fatal crash.
Kramer’s relatives described her as kind, funny and charismatic, and said she had a strong interest in cars and motorcycles.
Questions surrounding Wehr’s marriage
The circumstances of Wehr and Kramer’s relationship have attracted additional attention following the crash because Wehr was married to Emma Wehr.
Kramer’s family has claimed that Wehr told her that he and his wife were separated and that their divorce was nearly finalized.
However, TMZ reported that Kramer’s family learned after the crash that neither Wehr nor his wife had filed for divorce.
A separate report by the Hindustan Times also said Orange County court records did not show a divorce filing, while Emma later shared an emotional tribute to her husband following his death.
The claims about what Wehr told Kramer came from her relatives and have not been independently established as a complete account of his marital situation.
Investigation into fatal crash continues
The Irvine Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Authorities are examining the roadway, vehicle conditions, speed and other possible factors that could have contributed to the crash. Investigators are also reviewing social media posts from the hours before the collision and looking into whether alcohol or other factors may have played a role.
Meanwhile, an attorney representing Wehr’s wife has raised questions about water reportedly present on the roadway and whether it created a hazardous driving condition. The attorney said the circumstances surrounding the roadway and the crashworthiness of the vehicle are being examined.
That claim remains part of an ongoing investigation and has not been established as the cause of the crash.
The deaths of Wehr and Kramer have left the Southern California car community and Kramer’s family mourning two lives lost in a sudden and devastating collision.
For now, investigators continue to piece together what happened during the final moments before the McLaren left the roadway.
