Tragic Crash Claims Life of Influencer James Wehr in Fiery Incident
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Alexis Kramer's family has launched a GoFundMe to cover her funeral costs and other expenses related to her death.
Los Angeles Times - Emma Wehr, James Wehr's wife, has retained an attorney following the crash.
TMZ - Alexis Kramer's family has launched a GoFundMe to cover her funeral costs and other expenses related to her death.
Los Angeles Times - James Wehr was the co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, which is billed as the biggest weekly car show in the world.
Los Angeles Times - Alexis Kramer was described by her sister, Kaitlin, as "my other half."
Los Angeles Times - Alexis Kramer was a model for the 2026 Hooters calendar, according to her Instagram bio.
Los Angeles Times - Kramer had been talking to Wehr on Instagram for about a month before visiting him in California.
Los Angeles Times - James Wehr had been ticketed for more than a dozen vehicle code violations beginning in 2017.
Los Angeles Times - In 2026, Wehr had been ticketed on four occasions for alleged violations including failing to display license plates, not having his registration card and proof of insurance, and for not having a working muffler.
Los Angeles Times - The most serious allegation against Wehr was in 2023 when he was accused of driving at more than 100 mph; he pleaded not guilty, and the infraction was dismissed in 2024.
Los Angeles Times - James Wehr was born in Australia and co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee with his father, Simon.
Los Angeles Times - Alexis Kramer was visiting Wehr for the weekend, according to her family.
Los Angeles Times - James Wehr, a 27-year-old car influencer, and Alexis Kramer, a 22-year-old Florida native, were the victims of the crash.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr was the co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, a car enthusiast meetup.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr's mother is Sarah Wehr, and his wife is Emma Wehr.
Los Angeles Times - Alexis Kramer was a model for the 2026 Hooters calendar.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - The memorial for Wehr and Kramer includes a Hot Wheels Porsche and other toy versions of exotic sports cars scattered among the fallen pine needles.
Los Angeles Times - The Orange County coroner has not publicly identified the individuals killed in the crash.
TMZ - The crash was captured on video from another vehicle's dashcam, showing Wehr's McLaren accelerating rapidly before hitting a tree and bursting into flames.
Los Angeles Times - The memorial for Wehr and Kramer includes a silver cross on a long chain hanging from the pine tree where the crash occurred, along with dozens of bouquets and toy cars.
Los Angeles Times - The crash resulted in a fire that burned shrubs several feet away from where the car hit the tree.
Los Angeles Times - The memorial for Wehr and Kramer includes a silver cross on a long chain hanging from the pine tree where the crash occurred.
Los Angeles Times - The crash resulted in a fire that burned shrubs several feet away from where the car hit the tree.
Los Angeles Times - The memorial for Wehr and Kramer includes dozens of bouquets—roses, daisies, and white lilies—along with a Hot Wheels Porsche and other toy versions of exotic sports cars.
Los Angeles Times - The crash resulted in a large fire that burned shrubs planted on the other side of the sidewalk, several feet away from where the car hit the tree.
Los Angeles Times - The inferno from the crash was so large that it burned shrubs planted on the other side of the sidewalk.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr and Kramer died in a fiery crash when their 2019 McLaren split in two after hitting a tree.
Los Angeles Times - The crash occurred early Sunday morning.
Los Angeles Times - The vehicle lost control, crashed, and broke into pieces, likely due to excessive speed.
Los Angeles Times - The speed limit on Culver Drive, where the crash occurred, is 50 mph.
Los Angeles Times - The crash resulted in a large fire that burned nearby shrubs.
WHERE:
Los Angeles Times - The crash took place on Culver Drive in Irvine, California.
Los Angeles Times - The memorial for Wehr and Kramer is located at the base of a pine tree on Culver Drive.
WHEN:
Los Angeles Times - Wehr and Kramer reportedly spent time in Newport Beach having dinner before the crash.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr was stopped by police on Saturday night, approximately five hours before the crash.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr was born on August 17, 1999.
Los Angeles Times - Wehr married Emma Wehr in July 2025.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - Investigators believe speed was likely a factor in the crash, as the vehicle lost control and crashed into the tree.
Los Angeles Times - Irvine has a history of speeding and street racing incidents, prompting police enforcement efforts, including the formation of the Orange County Street Racing/Takeover Enforcement Team in 2020.
Los Angeles Times - Investigators believe speed was likely a factor in the crash.
Los Angeles Times - Irvine has a history of speeding and street racing incidents, prompting police enforcement efforts.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - Newport Beach police confirmed that Wehr was stopped for a loud exhaust at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, resulting in a warning issued to the driver.
TMZ - Newport Beach police confirmed that Wehr was stopped for a loud exhaust at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, resulting in a warning issued to the driver.
Los Angeles Times - The McLaren accelerated quickly after stopping at a red light, leaving dark tire marks on the pavement before losing control.
Los Angeles Times - The Newport Beach police confirmed that Wehr was stopped for a loud exhaust at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, roughly five hours before the crash.
Los Angeles Times - The Irvine Police Department has used drones and other technology to enforce traffic laws and crack down on speeding and street racing in recent years.
Los Angeles Times - In 2016, the city made 19 arrests and issued 195 citations for street racing and reckless driving; in 2021, officers made 25 arrests and issued 309 citations.
Los Angeles Times - Newport Beach police initiated a traffic stop on Wehr's vehicle due to a loud exhaust, resulting in a warning.
Los Angeles Times - The McLaren accelerated quickly after stopping at a red light, leaving dark tire marks on the pavement before losing control.
(UPDATED September 17, 2026 01:22 UTC)
The family of Alexis Kramer has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her funeral costs and other expenses following her tragic death. Meanwhile, Emma Wehr, the wife of James Wehr, has hired an attorney in the aftermath of the crash, which has left a memorial featuring a Hot Wheels Porsche and toy exotic sports cars scattered among fallen pine needles. Newport Beach police reported that Wehr was stopped for a loud exhaust just before the incident, receiving a warning at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 20:02 UTC)
Alexis Kramer's family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her funeral expenses following her tragic death. The incident was recorded on a dashcam, which showed Wehr's McLaren speeding before it crashed into a tree and caught fire. Newport Beach police reported that Wehr had been pulled over earlier that evening for a loud exhaust and received a warning.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 17:00 UTC)
A memorial has been established for James Wehr, co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, and Alexis Kramer, who was described by her sister as "my other half," following a tragic crash. The site features a silver cross on a long chain hanging from the pine tree where the accident occurred, surrounded by dozens of bouquets and toy cars, while the crash itself ignited a fire that burned nearby shrubs. Witnesses reported that the McLaren accelerated rapidly after stopping at a red light, leaving dark tire marks on the pavement before losing control.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 16:00 UTC)
A memorial for Alexis Kramer and her companion, Wehr, features a silver cross on a long chain hanging from the pine tree where their tragic crash occurred. Investigators believe speed was likely a factor in the accident, which resulted in a fire that burned shrubs several feet away from the impact site. Newport Beach police confirmed that Wehr had been stopped for a loud exhaust just hours before the crash, at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:59 UTC)
James Wehr, who had faced over a dozen vehicle code violations since 2017, was ticketed four times in 2026 for issues like failing to display license plates and not having a working muffler. A memorial for Wehr and his friend Kramer features an array of flowers, including roses and white lilies, alongside a Hot Wheels Porsche and toy sports cars. In recent years, the Irvine Police Department has employed drones and advanced technology to enhance traffic law enforcement and address speeding and street racing.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:01 UTC)
A tragic crash involving James Wehr, who co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee with his father, resulted in a massive fire that spread to nearby shrubs. Wehr was visited by Alexis Kramer during the weekend of the incident, which occurred in an area known for its history of speeding and street racing, prompting local police to enhance enforcement efforts. Since 2020, Irvine has seen a dedicated team addressing these issues, with significant arrests and citations for reckless driving and street racing in recent years.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:57 UTC)
In a tragic incident on Culver Drive in Irvine, California, 27-year-old car influencer James Wehr and 22-year-old model Alexis Kramer lost their lives in a fiery crash involving their 2019 McLaren, which split in two after hitting a tree. Investigators believe excessive speed was a likely factor, as the vehicle lost control shortly after Wehr had been stopped by police for a loud exhaust just hours earlier. A memorial for Wehr and Kramer has been set up at the base of a pine tree on the same road where the crash occurred.