Social media influencers James Wehr and Alexis “Lexi” Kramer died in a high-speed, fiery car crash involving a 2019 McLaren supercar in Irvine, California, in the early hours of September 13, 2026, according to local police and family statements. The collision occurred around 12:20 a.m. when the vehicle struck a curb and a tree on Culver Drive at Deerfield Avenue, splitting in two and bursting into flames, according to the Irvine Police Department and reporting from The Count.
Crash Details and Police Investigation
The 2019 McLaren supercar was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control, according to a preliminary investigation by the Irvine Police Department. The vehicle hit a curb and a tree, tearing apart from the impact before catching fire. Firefighters extinguished the wreckage before authorities could identify the two bodies inside. An eyewitness named Sid told ABC 7 that he heard a loud screech and a subsequent explosion, describing a massive fire that entirely consumed the vehicle. Authorities have not publicly established which person was driving the high-performance car at the time of the collision, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.
Victims Identified as Community Pillars and Car Enthusiasts
James Wehr, 27, was a notable social media influencer and a prominent figure in the Southern California automotive scene. He co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee, a weekly meet-up for automotive enthusiasts that regularly attracts between 1,000 and 3,000 vehicles, according to event information and The Count. Wehr maintained a strong online presence with over 50,000 followers on his Instagram account, @wehr, where he frequently shared images of his all-black McLaren. Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, 22, was identified as the second victim by friends and family on September 14, according to KTLA. A family member told the New York Post that Kramer flew out from Lakeland, Florida, on September 11 to meet Wehr after the two connected on Instagram and communicated daily for about a month. Kramer was a Hooters calendar girl model and motorcycle enthusiast who shared a passion for American muscle cars and motorcycles. Court records reviewed by the New York Post did not show a filed divorce case regarding Wehr, though a family member stated that Wehr had informed Kramer he was separating from his wife, Emma Wehr.
Community Mourning and Tributes
The deaths of Wehr and Kramer sparked an outpouring of grief from family members and the broader automotive community. On September 14, the official Instagram page for South OC Cars and Coffee shared a tribute stating, “Unfortunately, we have some really heavy news to share with you all. This morning, just after midnight, we lost our darling son and brother James, in a motor accident.” Wehr’s mother, Sarah, also posted a commemorative message on Instagram before setting her account to private, according to People, writing that her son’s love for people and family was unmatched. Kramer’s sister, Gracie, posted a tribute on Instagram highlighting their close bond, while other family members remembered Kramer as kind, funny, and charismatic.
Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities have not yet announced whether speed, roadway conditions, or impairment contributed to the crash beyond confirming that the McLaren was traveling at a high rate of speed.