James Wehr, 27, and Alexis Kramer, 22, Killed When McLaren Hits Tree and Burns at Culver and Deerfield in Irvine; Police Cite Speed
A 2019 McLaren crashed and burned at northbound Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine about 12:20 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2026, killing both occupants. Irvine police identified James Wehr, 27, co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, as the driver and Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, 22, of Lakeland, Florida, as the passenger, and said the car accelerated hard from the light at Deerfield before hitting a curb and a tree. The Major Accident Investigation Team inquiry is expected to take months with no speed or toxicology findings released; Wehr's widow has retained an attorney who cites possible standing water on the roadway, a claim police have not confirmed.
James Wehr, 27, South OC Cars and Coffee co-founder, was the driver; Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, 22, of Lakeland, Florida, was the passenger. Irvine PD's MAIT is conducting the investigation; attorney Corey Higgins represents widow Emma Wehr.
A 2019 McLaren accelerated from a green light at northbound Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue, lost control, struck a curb and a tree, split in two, and burned, killing driver James Wehr, 27, and passenger Alexis Kramer, 22.
Northbound Culver Drive at Deerfield Avenue, Irvine, California (posted speed limit: 50 mph).
Approximately 12:18 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Investigation is ongoing as of Sept. 28, 2026.
Irvine PD cites speed as a factor; no toxicology or precise speed data has been released. Wehr's attorney has separately alleged possible standing water on the road, a claim IPD has not confirmed.
The Irvine Police Department investigation into the fatal McLaren crash at Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue remains open as of late September 2026. Both occupants were killed at the scene; no arrests have been announced. The Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) has said the inquiry is expected to take months. No quantified speed figure or toxicology results have been publicly released.
At approximately 12:18 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, a 2019 McLaren stopped at a red light on northbound Culver Drive at Deerfield Avenue. When the light turned green, according to Irvine PD Officer Ziggy Azarcon, the vehicle accelerated hard, lost control, struck the curb and a pine tree, split in two, and caught fire. Both occupants were found dead inside after the fire was extinguished. Witnesses described hearing a screech, a loud impact, and what one observer called a "ginormous fire"; some witnesses told KTLA they believed the car exceeded 100 mph. IPD has stated speed was a factor.
James Wehr, 27, was an Orange County automotive influencer who co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee in San Clemente with his father, Simon Wehr. Irvine PD confirmed Wehr was the driver. The passenger, Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, 22, of Lakeland, Florida, had flown in on Sept. 11 to visit Wehr — two days before the crash. Her sister Kaitlin opened a GoFundMe to return her remains to Florida.
Newport Beach Police confirmed that Wehr had been stopped by one of their officers in Newport Beach approximately five hours before the crash. No further details about that stop have been released publicly.
On Sept. 19, attorney Corey Higgins stated publicly that he represents Wehr's widow, Emma Wehr, and is preserving evidence. Higgins has asserted there may have been standing water on the roadway at the time of the crash. That is a legal claim by counsel — it has not been confirmed by Irvine PD, and no lawsuit has been filed as of the last available information.
A roadside memorial has grown at the pine tree involved in the crash. The MAIT investigation is ongoing; no charges have been filed.
- Sep 13, 00:18(16 days ago)
About 12:18 a.m. Sunday Sept. 13: a 2019 McLaren accelerates from a green light at northbound Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue, loses control, hits the curb and a tree, splits in two and burns; both occupants die at the scene.
- Sep 13, 22:40(15 days ago)
Family identifies James Wehr, 27, co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee, as one of the dead; Irvine PD says speed was a factor.
- Sep 14, 17:00(14 days ago)
The second victim is identified by family as Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, 22, of Lakeland, Florida; Newport Beach police confirm Wehr was stopped by an officer about five hours before the crash.
- NEW12 days ago
A 22-year-old woman has been identified as the second victim who died alongside a car influencer in a fiery McLaren crash in Irvine.
- NEW15 days ago
Two people were killed when a McLaren crashed into a tree and burst into flames in Irvine, including one of the founders of South OC Cars and Coffee.