IRVINE, CA — James Wehr, 27, the co-founder of South OC Cars and Coffee — billed as the world’s largest weekly car show — was killed early Sunday when the 2019 McLaren 720S he was riding in accelerated from a traffic light, struck a curb, and slammed into a tree, splitting the vehicle in half and engulfing it in flames, the Irvine Police Department said.
A second person inside the car also died. That individual’s name had not been released as of Sunday evening, and authorities have not confirmed which of the two occupants was behind the wheel. The crash happened at approximately 12:20 a.m. at the intersection of Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine, roughly an hour after Wehr posted video on Instagram that appeared to show a police cruiser stopped behind the same black McLaren in nearby Newport Beach. The reason for that earlier traffic stop has not been disclosed by police. The crash remains under active investigation, and Irvine police have asked anyone with information to call 949-724-7047.
According to Irvine Police Department investigators, the McLaren had been stopped at a red light before pulling away northbound at a high rate of speed once the light changed. The driver lost control, the car clipped a curb, and the vehicle then struck a tree with enough force to break the supercar into two separate pieces. Orange County Fire Authority crews responded to the scene after reports of a single-vehicle crash and extinguished the blaze, but both occupants were found dead in the wreckage. The coroner had not formally identified either victim as of Sunday evening, but the South OC Cars and Coffee Instagram account confirmed Wehr’s death in a post addressed to the community. “This morning, just after midnight, we lost our darling son and brother James, in a motor accident,” the post read. “We respectfully ask for privacy as a family, as we process this profound loss.” Authorities have not indicated whether speed, alcohol, mechanical failure, or any other contributing factor has been formally identified or ruled out, and investigators said it remains unclear whether any other vehicles were involved.
Wehr had spent the hours before the crash at one of his own South OC Cars and Coffee events. The weekly car show, which he co-founded with his father, Simon Wehr, is held every Saturday morning at the Outlets at San Clemente and regularly draws between 800 and 2,500 vehicles, according to organizers. Attendance includes everything from exotic supercars to vintage hot rods, motorcycles, and muscle cars, and the event has attracted enthusiasts from across Southern California and internationally. Shortly after the show, Wehr posted an Instagram clip appearing to show the McLaren stopped behind a Newport Beach police cruiser. He then posted a separate photo of the same car parked in front of the Pendry hotel. Those were his final public posts. A 2019 McLaren 720S is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine and is rated for a top speed well above 200 miles per hour. Nik Saran, owner of VF Engineering — a company specializing in luxury and exotic car modifications — said he first met Wehr at South OC Cars and Coffee in 2021, and the two later collaborated on content creation projects and traveled together to motorsport events across the country.
Simon Wehr helped build the car show from a family hobby into one of Southern California’s most recognizable automotive gatherings. He has previously said that his own interest in cars was sparked by an older brother when he was 16, a passion he passed along to James. The two spent their Saturdays walking the event’s parking lot together, reviewing cars and filming content for South OC Cars and Coffee’s YouTube channel. Simon has credited roughly 50 volunteers who help manage the weekly event — directing vehicles, controlling crowds, and enforcing rules against revving, speeding, and burnouts. “Nothing’s easy,” Simon previously said of the effort required to keep it running. “We have to make sure people behave themselves.” Victor Muñoz, senior manager for state government affairs at the Specialty Equipment Market Association, attended South OC Cars and Coffee regularly and spoke at a January city meeting in support of the event when it faced neighborhood complaints. Muñoz on Sunday called Wehr a “community builder” who created “a space where people from diverse backgrounds can come together and enjoy cars.” James Wehr had previously described what the weekly shows meant to him. “Getting to see people come out every week and enjoy the show — we see multiple generations of people walking around with their cars, and it’s a great environment,” he said. “We’re super lucky.”
As of Sunday evening, Irvine police and the California Highway Patrol had not publicly identified the second person killed in the crash, confirmed who was driving the McLaren at the time of impact, or cited any specific contributing factor. The Daily Mail reported reaching out to both agencies and to South OC Cars and Coffee for comment without receiving a response. Investigators have not said whether the Newport Beach traffic stop, which occurred roughly an hour before the fatal crash, has any connection to the collision. The circumstances of that stop remain unknown. The Orange County coroner’s office has not released an official identification. South OC Cars and Coffee has not announced plans for its weekly event in the immediate aftermath of Wehr’s death. Saran said he believes Wehr’s commitment to the automotive community will leave a lasting mark. “What stood out about James most was his positive perspective on everything,” Saran said. “The way he approached challenges was always a positive perspective. He was very excited about what he did and he was full of energy and worked very hard.” Saran added that Wehr “was very much at the forefront of bringing the communities together at this event.”
Family tributes poured onto social media through Sunday. Wehr’s wife, Emma, posted a carousel of photographs spanning their relationship, including images from their wedding day. “James, I never thought the day would come that I’d have to say such a final goodbye,” she wrote. “Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life. I grew up with you and you opened my eyes to everything the world had to offer. You had such a zest for life and drive like no one I’ve ever met.” His mother, Sarah Wehr, traced her son’s life back to its beginning in Perth, Australia, where the family lived before relocating to the United States. “It’s too soon. We brought you into this world at 2:36am, August 17, 1999 and watched you grow into the magnificent man you are,” Sarah wrote. “Your love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.” His sister, Sophie Wehr, shared childhood photographs alongside the words: “I’ll live every day with you in mind and do everything I can to make you proud.” RDB LA, a Los Angeles auto repair and custom vehicle shop that worked with Wehr professionally, posted a tribute calling him “a friend, a great person, and someone whose presence became part of our everyday lives.” “The car industry lost a truly great person,” the shop wrote. “His friendship, his passion, and everything we created together will never be forgotten.”
The Irvine Police Department’s investigation into the crash remains open. Investigators have not announced a timeline for completing their review, named a formal cause of death, or released the identity of the second person killed. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7047. The South OC Cars and Coffee community, which draws thousands of participants each week to San Clemente, now faces its first Saturday without the co-founder who helped build it into one of the most attended weekly automotive events in the country.
Murder + Suicide-by-car for the driver. There is no excuse.