Investigators have determined that California car influencer James Wehr was behind the wheel of the McLaren that crashed and caught fire in Irvine early Sept. 13, killing him and 22-year-old Alexis “Lexi” Kramer.
The Irvine Police Department said its Major Accident Investigation Team has “clear evidence” showing that Wehr, 27, was driving the 2019 McLaren, while Kramer was in the passenger seat when the crash occurred. The confirmation settles a key question that had remained open since the deadly collision.
The crash happened around 12:18 a.m. at Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue. Police said the McLaren had been stopped northbound at a traffic light before accelerating when the light turned green.
The vehicle then traveled at a high rate of speed, went out of control, struck a curb and hit a tree. The impact split the McLaren into two pieces, and the vehicle caught fire. When Irvine police and Orange County Fire Authority crews arrived, both occupants were found dead inside the wreckage.
Police had previously said speed appeared to be a factor in the crash. Investigators are continuing to examine the vehicle’s speed, roadway conditions, the condition of the McLaren and any other circumstances that may have affected Wehr’s operation of the car.
The latest police update also officially identified the victims as James Wesley Simon Wehr of Irvine and Alexis Helena Kramer of Lakeland, Florida. Kramer was 22, while Wehr was 27.
New questions about roadway conditions
As the investigation continues, another issue has emerged. An attorney representing Wehr’s wife, Emma, has said that a significant amount of water was present on the roadway around the time of the crash.
The attorney said the source of the water has not yet been identified and that his firm is looking into how it got onto the road, how long the condition had been present and whether it may have played a role in the collision. The attorney also said the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s crashworthiness are being examined. These claims are part of a separate inquiry and have not been identified by Irvine police as an established cause of the crash.
The new information does not change the police department’s current position that the investigation remains active. Authorities have not announced a final determination about every factor that contributed to the collision.
Wehr was known in Southern California’s automotive community as a co-founder of South OC Cars & Coffee, a popular weekly gathering that brings together performance, luxury and classic vehicles. His death has prompted tributes from people connected to the local car community.
Kramer, who was from Florida and had an interest in cars and motorcycles, was also remembered by her family following the crash. A fundraiser has been established to help with expenses connected to her death.
The Irvine Police Department said the Major Accident Investigation Team expects the investigation to take months. Detectives will continue examining the roadway, vehicle and speed-related evidence before reaching a final conclusion.
For now, investigators have confirmed who was driving, but the full circumstances surrounding why the McLaren lost control remain under investigation.
