Irvine McLaren Crash Kills Car Show Founder and Florida Visitor

Key points

• A grey 2019 McLaren crashed into a tree near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine at approximately 12:18 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
• The impact caused the vehicle to split in half and catch fire; firefighters found two occupants deceased in the wreckage.
• The driver was identified as 27-year-old James Wehr, a co-founder of the South OC Cars and Coffee car show in San Clemente.
• The passenger was identified by the New York Post as 22-year-old Alexis 'Lexi' Kramer, a bartender and 2026 Hooters calendar girl from Lakeland, Florida.
• Irvine Police stated the car was stopped at a red light, accelerated at high speed when the light turned green, and then lost control, veering right into a curb and tree.

Background

This incident follows a series of fatal high-speed vehicle crashes reported in the area and nationally in recent weeks. James Wehr was a prominent figure in the local automotive community, known for organizing one of the largest weekly car gatherings in the United States. The crash occurred shortly after Wehr had attended the South OC Cars and Coffee event earlier that day.

How outlets are covering it

County News Service and Patch reported the basic facts of the crash, citing Irvine Police Department statements that the vehicle lost control at high speed after a light change. The New York Post provided additional details, identifying the passenger as Alexis Kramer and alleging that Wehr, who was still married, had paid for her flight from Florida and spent the weekend with her. The Post noted that no divorce filing was found in Orange County court records, contrasting with Wehr's alleged claims to Kramer. A witness described hearing a loud crash and seeing a 'ginormous fire,' while the medical examiner's office had not officially released the names of the victims at the time of reporting.

Why it matters

The crash highlights the dangers of high-speed driving and the potential consequences of reckless behavior, particularly involving high-performance vehicles. It also raises questions about the circumstances leading to the crash, including the relationship between the victims and the timing of the incident relative to a recent police stop. The loss of a prominent community figure has sparked widespread mourning in the local car enthusiast community.

What to watch

Investigators are continuing to probe the circumstances of the crash, including the cause of the loss of control and the identities of the victims. The medical examiner's office is expected to release official identification of the victims. The Wehr family has requested privacy as they mourn his death, and the South OC Cars and Coffee community is processing the loss of a key organizer.