Two social media personalities with ties to the automotive community were killed in a devastating high-speed crash in Orange County over the weekend, leaving car enthusiasts in California and beyond mourning their deaths.
Authorities say a 2019 McLaren carrying 27-year-old car influencer James Wehr and 22-year-old Alexis "Lexi" Kramer crashed and burst into flames shortly after midnight on Sept. 13 in Irvine. The Irvine Police Department said the vehicle lost control while traveling northbound on Culver Drive near Deerfield Avenue, struck a curb and tree, split in half, and caught fire.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze before discovering two people dead inside the wreckage. Wehr was identified first by family and friends, while relatives later
confirmed Kramer as the second victim.
The crash remains under investigation. Irvine police have not publicly announced who was driving.
What happened in the Irvine crash?
According to Irvine police, the McLaren was stopped at a red light at Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue around 12:18 a.m. Sept. 13. Investigators said the vehicle accelerated rapidly when the light turned green before the driver lost control. The supercar veered right, struck a curb and slammed into a tree. The force of the collision split the vehicle in two and ignited a fire.
An eyewitness told local television station ABC7 that he heard screeching tires, followed by a loud explosion, before seeing a massive fire engulf the wreckage.
The Irvine Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team is continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
Who was James Wehr?
Wehr was a well-known figure in Southern California's automotive scene and had built a sizable social media following through posts focused on exotic vehicles, car culture, and local events.
The 27-year-old co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee, a San Clemente-based gathering that describes itself as one of the world's largest weekly car shows. The events regularly attracted thousands of vehicles ranging from supercars and muscle cars to vintage classics and motorcycles.
Wehr also amassed tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, where many posts featured the black McLaren involved in the crash. Friends, family members and members of the automotive community flooded social media with tributes after news of his death spread.
In a statement posted to Instagram, South OC Cars and Coffee described the loss as "really heavy news" and asked for privacy as Wehr's family processes the tragedy.
His mother, Sarah Wehr, also shared a public tribute honoring her son and praising his love for family and friends before making her account private, according to media reports.
Who was Alexis "Lexi" Kramer?
Kramer, 22, was a Florida native who also shared her passion for cars and motorcycles on social media.
Family members identified Kramer a day after the crash and said she had traveled from Lakeland, Florida, to Southern California on Sept. 11. Relatives told media outlets that she attended one of Wehr's car shows during her visit.
According to her family, Kramer loved "American muscle cars and motorcycles" and was deeply connected to the automotive community. She frequently posted photos of motorcycles, performance vehicles and modeling work on Instagram. Relatives said she also worked as a Hooters Calendar model.
Her sister, Gracie, posted an emotional tribute on Instagram following the crash, remembering the bond they shared. Family members described Kramer as kind, charismatic and someone who left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
"She loved the car community, so it's such a tragedy that that's what ended her," a relative told the New York Post, according to reports.
Automotive community mourns two young lives
The deaths of Wehr and Kramer have generated widespread attention online, particularly among car enthusiasts who followed their social media content or attended Southern California automotive events.
Tributes have poured in across Instagram, where friends, followers and industry figures have shared memories of both influencers. Wehr helped build South OC Cars and Coffee, making him a familiar presence in Orange County's thriving car culture, while Kramer was remembered by relatives and friends for her enthusiasm for cars, motorcycles and the community surrounding them.
As investigators continue working to determine what led to the crash, loved ones are focused on remembering two young people whose shared passion for automobiles connected them with thousands of followers and fellow enthusiasts.
Wehr's mother Sarah also shared a commemorative post for her son on Instagram before making her account private, according to People.
"It’s too soon. We brought you into this world at 2:36 am, August 17, 1999, and watched you grow into the magnificent man you are,” the post's caption reportedly read. “Your love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Influencers James Wehr, Lexi Kramer killed in fiery Irvine McLaren crash
