Speed is believed to be a significant factor in a supercar crash in Irvine that resulted in the deaths of James Wehr, 27, and Alexis "Lexi" Kramer, 22, according to the Irvine Police Department. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue when the purple McLaren accelerated rapidly after a red light turned green, leading to a loss of control and a collision with a tree. The impact caused the vehicle to split apart and ignite, resulting in a fire that killed both occupants.
Ziggy Azarcon, a public information officer with the Irvine Police Department, stated, "We believe that speed was a factor in this. Our major accident investigation team still has to complete their full investigation." A witness reported that the McLaren was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed, with estimates suggesting it may have reached 100 mph. However, investigators have not confirmed the vehicle's actual speed, and the investigation is ongoing.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are still being examined, with authorities confirming that a female passenger was present at the time of the collision. The investigation may take six months or longer due to the detailed reconstruction required.
Wehr and Kramer had been communicating on Instagram for about a month and met in person for the first time that weekend after Wehr reportedly covered Kramer's flight expenses. They had dinner at Nobu and drinks at the Pendry Hotel before attending Wehr's weekly car gathering, which attracts thousands of car enthusiasts. Kramer was a bartender and a 2026 Hooters calendar girl who had recently earned an associate’s degree from Polk State College. According to Kramer's family, Wehr mentioned he was separating from his wife, Emma, and that a divorce was in progress, although court records showed no filings for divorce. The victims' names were confirmed by their families, and dental records were provided to the medical examiner to assist in identifying Kramer.