Full Breakdown
Fatal Irvine McLaren Crash Claims Car Influencer James Wehr and Model Alexis Kramer
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Crash Details
On the early morning of September 13, 2026, a 2019 McLaren 720S crashed at the intersection of Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine, California. The vehicle stopped at a red light, accelerated on green, lost control, jumped a curb, struck a tree, split in two and ignited. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and found both occupants dead. The Irvine Police Department confirmed two fatalities but has not released the driver’s identity.
Background & Context
The crash occurred at a Saturday gathering that draws hundreds of exotic and performance cars. Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, a 2026 Hooters calendar model from Lakeland, Florida, had traveled to California to meet Wehr after a month of Instagram messages.
Key Figures & Groups
- James Wehr – 27, co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, Instagram @wehr.
- Alexis “Lexi” Kramer – 22, Hooters calendar girl and bartender.
- Ziggy Azarcon – Public information officer, Irvine Police Department.
- Gracie Kramer – Sister of Alexis Kramer.
- Emma Wehr – Wife of James Wehr.
Timeline
- September 11, 2026 – Kramer flew from Florida to California.
- Early hours of September 13, 2026 – McLaren crash; both occupants killed.
- September 14, 2026 – Kramer identified as the second victim by family members.
- September 15, 2026 – *The Drive* reported the identification.
Data & Statistics
- Vehicle: 2019 McLaren 720S.
- Crash time: ~12:18 a.m.
- Fatalities: 2.
- South OC Cars and Coffee attendance: 800–2,500 vehicles per event.
Official Statements & Responses
- Irvine Police Department (Kyle Oldoerp) said the fire was extinguished, both occupants were deceased, and the investigation remains ongoing.
- Ziggy Azarcon stated, “We believe that speed was a factor in this.”
On-the-Ground Reports
An ABC 7 witness noted the McLaren appeared to be traveling at an extremely high rate of speed after the light turned green.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Driver identity: Police have not disclosed who was behind the wheel.
- Speed: Azarcon cited speed as a factor; witnesses estimated up to 100 mph, but no official measurement has been released.
- Divorce claim: Kramer’s family alleges Wehr told her he was separating from his wife Emma, yet Orange County court records show no divorce filing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She loved the car community, so it’s such a tragedy that that’s what ended her,” — Gracie Kramer
- “We believe that speed was a factor in this,” — Ziggy Azarcon
- “Lexi was so much more than just my best friend, she was all of my love, my heart, my attitude, and my humor wrapped into a smaller, more chaotic, less filtered package,” — Gracie
Why It Matters / Impact
The deaths of Wehr and Kramer remove two prominent figures from Southern California’s automotive scene. Their loss may affect the future of South OC Cars and Coffee, a key hub for enthusiasts and industry participants, and underscores ongoing concerns about high-performance vehicle safety on public roads.