Motoring influencer James Wehr has passed away after being involved in a car crash with his 2019 McLaren.
On September 13, the Irvine Police Department in California confirmed that two people had died following a high-speed collision.
“The preliminary investigation determined that a 2019 McLaren had stopped northbound on Culver Drive at Deerfield Avenue. When the traffic light turned green, the car traveled northbound at a high rate of speed,” they posted on Facebook. “The driver lost control of their vehicle, which traveled to the right, where it struck a curb and a tree. The vehicle split in two and caught fire.”
Officers said that the names of the two people involved in the crash wouldn’t be released until their families had been notified. However, one has been confirmed as James Wehr, who helped found South OC Cars and Coffee.
Car influencer James Wehr dead at 27
Wehr, 27, was the founder of the California car meet-up, regularly posting about it on Instagram to more than 100,000 followers. He had more than 40,000 followers on his own page too, as well as a significant following on YouTube.
His family confirmed he was involved, posting on the South OC Cars and Coffee page. Unfortunately, we have some really heavy news to share with you all. This morning, just after midnight, we lost our darling son and brother James, in a motor accident,” they said.
“We respectfully ask for privacy as a family, as we process this profound loss. We would appreciate all of your good thoughts and prayers, and for those of you who knew James, thank you for being his friends, his mentors and his peers. Thank you for being his clients and his loved ones. We are grateful for all of you.”
Other family members and friends have shared tributes to Wehr, including his wife, Emma.
“James, I never thought the day would come that I’d have to say such a final goodbye. Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life,” she posted.
“It’s too soon. We brought you into this world at 2:36 am, August 17, 1999, and watched you grow into the magnificent man you are,” his mom, Sarah Wehr, added.
Police are continuing to investigate the collision, with one witness adding it caused a “ginormous fire.”
