IRVINE, CA. (THECOUNT) — UPDATE: California car influencer James Wehr, 27, and Florida woman Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, 22, have been identified as the two people killed in a fiery McLaren crash early Sunday in Irvine, Orange County, California.
The pair died around 12:20 a.m. Sunday when the high-performance McLaren reportedly crashed into a tree at a high rate of speed, split in half and caught fire. Wehr was known in the Southern California car community as the founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, a major gathering that attracts thousands of vehicles and enthusiasts.
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Kramer, a 22-year-old Hooters calendar girl from Lakeland, Florida, had reportedly flown to California to meet Wehr, according to a family member who spoke with The Post. The family member said Kramer and Wehr had connected through Instagram and had been communicating daily for approximately one month before meeting in person.
According to the family member, Kramer flew out Friday and spent the weekend with Wehr. The pair reportedly went on a first date, had breakfast and drinks together, and attended Wehr’s widely known car show before the fatal crash.
The family member said Wehr had told Kramer that he was separating from his wife, Emma Wehr, and that a divorce was underway. Orange County court records reviewed by The Post reportedly did not show that a divorce case had been filed.
“He talked to her every day all the time and finally got her to fly out to California to come see him,” the family member said, describing Kramer as passionate about American muscle cars and motorcycles.
“She loved the car community, so it’s such a tragedy that that’s what ended her,” the family member added.
The crash occurred when the McLaren was traveling at a high rate of speed and the driver apparently lost control, police said. The vehicle struck a tree and was torn apart by the impact before bursting into flames.
Both occupants died in the crash. Authorities have not publicly established which person was driving at the time of the collision.
Wehr was a familiar figure in the Southern California automotive scene. He helped build South OC Cars and Coffee into a major event for exotic cars, supercars, classic vehicles, muscle cars and automotive enthusiasts. The gathering has drawn between approximately 1,000 and 3,000 vehicles, according to event information.
Wehr’s death prompted an outpouring of reaction from members of the car community, where he was known for his collection of high-end vehicles and his involvement in organizing automotive events.
Kramer’s family described her as kind, funny and charismatic. The family member said numerous people had reached out to share positive memories and experiences involving her.
“As you can imagine, this was very shocking and hard,” the family member said. “She was kind and funny and charismatic and I’ve had so many people reach out and share their wonderful experiences with Lexi.”
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. Authorities have not announced whether speed, roadway conditions, impairment or another factor contributed to the collision beyond the preliminary report that the McLaren was traveling at a high rate of speed.
Irvine, a city in Orange County in Southern California, is approximately 40 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and near the major communities of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Santa Ana.
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