The founder of the world’s biggest weekly car show was killed Saturday when his McLaren slammed into a tree in California, split in two and burst into flames in a horrific early-morning crash.

James Wehr, 27, the owner of South OC Cars and Coffee, died in the wreck along with another driver, whose identity had not been released.

The deadly crash happened around 12:20 a.m. at the intersection of Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue in Irvine, police said.

James Wehr, 27, the owner of South OC Cars and Coffee, died in the wreck along with another driver, whose identity had not been released.

James Wehr and Emma Wehr are pictured. She penned a heartbreaking tribute to him on Sunday morning.

Wehr had attended one of his regular car shows earlier that day. Just an hour before the fatal crash, he posted a photo on Instagram appearing to show a police cruiser pulling him over in Newport Beach.

Following his death, Wehr’s wife, Emma, shared an emotional tribute online, posting a carousel of photos of the couple.

“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 wrote.

“You’re smart, kind, funny, loving, and genuinely one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” she added.

Emma’s tribute was accompanied by photographs capturing moments from their life together.

Emma’s tribute was accompanied by photographs capturing moments from their life together.

The McLaren slammed into a tree, split apart and erupted in flames during a violent crash in Irvine, California, on Saturday.

“Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life,” Emma wrote, describing her husband as someone who was “genuinely one of the best people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.”

Officers and crews with the Orange County Fire Authority rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a single-vehicle crash.

A high-end sports car, believed to be a McLaren, was split in half after striking a tree on Culver Drive on Sunday morning.

Officers and crews with the OC Fire Authority rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a single-vehicle crash.

A high-end sports car, believed to be a McLaren, is split in half after striking a tree on Culver Drive, early Sunday morning. Two occupants of the vehicle were killed in the high-speed collision, which remains under investigation.

Investigators said the 2019 McLaren had been stopped at a traffic light before accelerating northbound when the light turned green.

The car was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver apparently lost control, police said.

The McLaren struck a curb and then slammed into a tree, causing the vehicle to break into two pieces before catching fire.

Two occupants were found dead inside the wreckage. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Authorities have not indicated whether any other vehicles were involved.

But away from the cars and the sprawling weekly meetups he helped create, Wehr was being remembered by his family and friends as a beloved son, brother, husband and mentor.

His mother, Sarah Wehr, also shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son, recalling the moment he was born and the years she watched him grow up.

“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.

She also remembered her son for the way he treated the people around him, writing that his “love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.”

But away from the cars and the sprawling weekly meetups he helped create, Wehr was being remembered by his family and friends as a beloved son, brother, husband and mentor.

His mother, Sarah Wehr, also shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son, recalling the moment he was born and the years she watched him grow up.

“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.

She also remembered her son for the way he treated the people around him, writing that his “love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.”

But away from the cars and the sprawling weekly meetups he helped create, Wehr was being remembered by his family and friends as a beloved son, brother, husband and mentor.

His mother, Sarah Wehr, also shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son, recalling the moment he was born and the years she watched him grow up.

“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.

She also remembered her son for the way he treated the people around him, writing that his “love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.”

The Wehr family was originally from Perth, Australia, where James was born before the family eventually moved to the US.

His sister also mourned the loss of her brother, calling him “the best brother I could have asked for.”

Messages of grief also poured in from people in the wider car community, many of whom described Wehr as far more than an organizer of a popular Saturday morning gathering.

One person who said James had become like family over the years recalled looking up to him as an older brother and role model.

“James, you’re basically family as this point. Big bro, an Idol. You’ve been one of my biggest inspirations and one to keep pushing me in life for the better part of a decade,” the person wrote.

The tribute continued: “To be honest, there were times where I wanted to be just like you, but in my own way.”

Some of his supercar collection are pictured from what he posted on his social media pages.

Another member of the community described Wehr as someone whose influence extended well beyond the car shows, saying he had inspired people to push themselves and pursue their goals.

For years, James and his father, Simon Wehr, had spent their Saturdays walking the parking lot at South OC Cars and Coffee, looking over the latest arrivals and filming vehicles for the event’s YouTube channel.

The gathering, held at the Outlets at San Clemente, grew from a family passion into a massive weekly attraction, regularly drawing hundreds of cars and spectators.

Organizers have previously estimated that the event typically attracts between 800 and 1,000 vehicles, with some weekends reaching as many as 2,500.

Simon has previously credited his older brother with sparking his own interest in cars when he was 16, a passion he later passed along to James.

“Nothing’s easy,” Simon previously said of the work required to keep the event running.

He also credited roughly 50 volunteers who help each week with directing vehicles, managing crowds and enforcing the rules designed to keep the gathering from becoming dangerous.

“We have to make sure people behave themselves,” Simon said, noting that organizers repeatedly enforce rules against revving, speeding and burnouts.

James previously described the turnout as something that brought generations of car enthusiasts together.

“Getting to see people come out every week and enjoy the show,” he said. “We see multiple generations of people walking around with their cars, and it’s a great environment. We’re super lucky.”

The family’s social-media announcement asked mourners to give them privacy as they come to terms with the loss.

“Please hug your loved ones tightly today. Tell them every day how valuable they are to you. Tell them you love them,” the family wrote.

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/09/13/us-news/2-killed-in-california-crash-as-mclaren-smashes-into-tree-bursts-into-flames/?utm_campaign=capost&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=capost&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawUUL9twZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXRYYkFNTVhjQ2tkSzFaUUJzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezSX_u8m8vKzk6MedKRP123wfIlFWE6Hbf_b9RTKumMu1U4ft4ASGFlrFPW8_aem_4xzdwnIqEu60Dej089EjcA