James Wehr, a 27-year-old car influencer and cofounder of South OC Cars and Coffee, died early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Irvine, California. Police say the 2019 McLaren he was riding in was speeding northbound on Culver Drive just after midnight when the driver lost control, struck a curb and a tree, and the vehicle split in two before catching fire. Two other people in the car also died, and one has not yet been publicly identified.
Wehr built South OC Cars and Coffee alongside his father, Simon, and grew the meet into a beloved weekend tradition for car lovers across Southern California. He had more than 44,000 followers on Instagram, where he shared his passion for cars with a community that clearly loved him back. His family confirmed his death in a statement, asking for privacy and thanking his friends and supporters for the outpouring of love.
In that same statement, his family shared something worth passing along: hug your loved ones tightly today, tell them every day how valuable they are to you, and tell them you love them. The Irvine Police Department is investigating the crash, and the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved James.
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About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
