A 22-year-old woman from Florida and a 27-year-old California car show founder died after a McLaren crashed into a tree and caught fire in Irvine, Orange County, California, shortly after midnight Sunday.
The victims were identified by family members and members of the South OC Cars and Coffee community as Alexis “Lexi” Kramer of Lakeland, Florida, and James Wehr, 27.
According to police, the McLaren had been stopped at a red light near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue. When the traffic signal changed, the vehicle accelerated at a high speed before the driver apparently lost control and crashed into a tree.
The collision caused the McLaren to break apart and catch fire. Authorities have not publicly confirmed who was driving the vehicle, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What Happened in the Irvine McLaren Crash?
The crash occurred shortly after midnight Sunday in Irvine. Police said the McLaren was traveling at high speed before leaving the roadway and striking a tree.
The force of the collision caused significant damage to the vehicle, which subsequently caught fire.
Investigators have not publicly released a determination about the cause of the crash or identified the driver. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office had not publicly released the victims’ names at the time of the reports cited by the families and the South OC Cars and Coffee community.
Florida Woman Had Traveled to California
Kramer’s family said she had traveled from Florida to California on Friday to meet Wehr. Her sister, Gracie Kramer, told The Post that the two had met through Instagram and had been communicating for approximately a month.
According to Kramer’s family, Wehr paid for her flight to California.
The family said the two spent the evening together, including dinner at Nobu and drinks at the Pendry Hotel, before the fatal crash.
Kramer’s family also said Wehr had told her that he was separating from his wife, Emma Wehr, and that divorce proceedings were underway. However, Orange County court records reviewed by The Post reportedly did not show a divorce case had been filed.
Who Was Alexis “Lexi” Kramer?
Kramer was from Lakeland, Florida, and worked as a bartender. Her sister said she had recently started a new job in a leadership position and had recently earned an associate’s degree from Polk State College.
Her Instagram biography described her as a 2026 Hooters calendar girl.
Her family described Kramer as kind, funny and charismatic and said she had a strong connection to the car community.
“She loved the car community, so it’s such a tragedy that that’s what ended her,” a family member told The Post.
Kramer’s family provided dental records to the medical examiner’s office to assist with identification. Her sister also shared a tribute to Kramer on Instagram.
In the tribute, Gracie Kramer described her sister as her best friend and “other half,” reflecting on their close relationship and the loss of a sibling she considered an important part of her life.
James Wehr and South OC Cars and Coffee
Wehr was known in Southern California’s automotive community as the founder of South OC Cars and Coffee in San Clemente.
The weekly event brings together car enthusiasts and has attracted thousands of attendees, according to descriptions from the event’s community.
Members of South OC Cars and Coffee identified Wehr as one of the two people killed in the Irvine crash.
Before the collision, Wehr had posted an image from the Pendry Hotel on Instagram. He later posted a photograph of the McLaren during what appeared to be a police stop.
Following his death, his wife, Emma, posted a tribute accompanied by photographs of the couple.
“James, I never thought the day would come that I’d have to say such a final goodbye,” she wrote, according to the report. She also remembered him as smart, kind, funny and loving.
Investigation Into the Crash Continues
Authorities have not publicly determined who was driving the McLaren or released a final explanation for what caused the vehicle to lose control.
The crash remains under investigation, and additional information could become available as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the collision.
For now, the deaths have prompted tributes from Kramer’s family and the Southern California car community, where Wehr was known for organizing the South OC Cars and Coffee gathering.