James Wehr, 27, founder of South OC Cars and Coffee car shows, died in a fiery crash involving his McLaren 720S supercar early Saturday morning in Irvine, California. Just an hour before the fatal incident, police had pulled over the vehicle for an unknown reason. The car crashed into a tree after accelerating at high speed, splitting in half and catching fire, also killing another passenger. Wehr's mother and wife posted heartfelt tributes on social media mourning his loss.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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The founder of a popular car show was killed in a fiery car crash after his McLaren slammed into a tree in California just an hour after he was pulled over by the police.
James Wehr, 27, died after the supercar split in two and burst into flames following the early morning crash on Saturday in Irvine.
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supercar → see → Irvine
The owner of South OC Cars and Coffee, which hosts weekly car shows, was riding in a 2019 McLaren 720S with another driver, who also died, police said.
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police → host → driver
Wehr, who was identified as one of the victims by friends and family on social media, posted a clip on Instagram of a police car parked behind the black supercar at Newport Beach just an hour before the deadly crash.
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who → identify → crash
It was unclear why the vehicle had been pulled over.
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vehicle → pull → ?
He posted another photo of the McLaren parked in front of the Pendry hotel moments later.
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He → post → hotel
According to investigators, the car had been stopped at a traffic light before it accelerated at a high rate of speed, causing the driver to lose control.
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driver → accord → control
The car clipped the curb and barreled into a tree at 12.20am, leaving both passengers dead, the Irvine Police Department said.
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Department → clip → passengers
Circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash, including if other vehicles were involved, remains unclear.
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vehicles → surround → crash
James Wehr, 27, died after the supercar split in two and burst into flames following the early morning crash on Saturday in Irvine, California
The car clipped the curb and barreled into a tree at 12.20am causing the vehicle split in half and catching fire, leaving both passengers dead
The owner of South OC Cars and Coffee, which hosts weekly car shows, was riding in a 2019 McLaren 720S with another driver, who also died
Sarah Wehr, the entrepreneur's mother, described her son as a 'magnificent man' with a love for his people, family and friend that was 'second to none'.
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that → die → none
'I remember your first steps at our home in Perth, Australia.
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I → remember → Perth
The first time you said "Dada!", your very first word.
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you → say → Dada
I remember you sleeping through the night at 8 weeks.
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you → remember → weeks
I remember everything.
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I → remember → everything
All of it,' she wrote on Instagram.
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she → write → Instagram
Thank you for all the years we were blessed to know and love you James.
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we → thank → you
This slices from all sides.
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This → slice → sides
I hope you’re getting a beer with Gramps as you both watch over us all.
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you → hope → us
I love you son.
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I → love → you
Emma, Wehr's wife, posted an emotional set of photos of the pair, including on their wedding day, alongside a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband.
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Emma → post → husband
'James, I never thought the day would come that I'd have to say such a final goodbye,' she wrote.
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she → think → goodbye
'Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life.
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Getting → get → life
I grew up with you and you opened my eyes to everything the world had to offer.
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world → grow → everything
You had such a zest for life and drive like no one I’ve ever met.
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I → have → one
’re smart, kind, funny, loving, and genuinely one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.
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I → ’re → pleasure
Like I said in my vows, I’m so grateful to have gotten the chance to live my life at the same time that you lived yours and whether its in this lifetime or the next my heart will always find its way to you.
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heart → say → you
His sister, Sophie Wehr, posted a collection of childhood photos with her brother and said: 'James, thank you.
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sister → post → you
I'll live every day with you in mind and do everything I can to make you proud.'
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you → live → everything
Emma, Wehr's wife pictured above, posted an emotional set of photos of the pair, including on their wedding day, alongside a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband
Wehr had posted a clip on Instagram of a police car parked behind the black supercar at Newport Beach just an hour before the deadly crash
Emma described her husband as 'smart, kind, funny, loving, and genuinely one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing'
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I → picture → pleasure
'I can't imagine a world without you,' she added.
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she → imagine → you
'I love you so much, I always will.
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I → love → you
I will always love you.
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I → love → you
You left a legacy and will be in our hearts forever,' his aunt, Milly, wrote.
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aunt → leave → hearts
Wehr had attended a car show hosted by South OC Cars and Coffee just earlier that day.
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Wehr → attend → Cars
'It was so exciting to see everything roll in,' Sarah Wehr wrote.
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Wehr → see → ?
'Thank you to our incredibly excellent volunteers, as well as everyone who brought their cars, bikes and trucks.
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who → thank → cars
Wehr co-founded the car show with her father, Simon Wehr, and spent years hosting the meets together every Saturday at the Outlets at San Clemente.
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co → co → Clemente
The organization estimated that from 800 to 2,500 vehicles attend the events.
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vehicles → estimate → events
'Getting to see people come out every week and enjoy the show.
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people → get → show
We see multiple generations of people walking around with their cars, and it’s a great environment.
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it → see → cars
We’re super lucky,' Wehr previously said of the shows, according to the Post.
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Wehr → ’re → Post
…and 31 more, not listed.
