By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-09-14 19:46:32 | Updated at 2026-09-14 20:27:40
42 minutes ago
A 22-year-old Hooters calendar girl from Florida died alongside car influencer James Wehr in a fiery McLaren crash in Orange County, the California Post can reveal.
Alexis “Lexi” Kramer died in the supercar with Wehr, 27, when it smashed into a tree and split in half in Irvine around 12.20am on Sunday, her sister, Gracie Kramer, told The Post.
Lexi had flown out from Lakewood, Florida, to meet Wehr — who said he was in the process of separating from his wife Emma — on Friday, according to Gracie.
The pair spent the weekend together where they went on a first date, had breakfast and drinks together and attended Wehr’s world-famous car show before the fatal crash. Gracie said her sister met Wehr over Instagram and had been talking for about one month before they first met.
Wehr allegedly told Lexi his marriage to Emma was over and their divorce was underway, but Gracie told The Post she had doubts. Orange County court records reviewed by The Post did not indicate a divorce case had been filed.
“[He] talked to her every day all the time and finally got her to fly out to California to come see him,” Gracie said.
She said her sister had a passion for “American muscle cars and motorcycles.”
“She loved the car community, so it’s such a tragedy that that’s what ended her,” Gracie told The Post.
“As you can imagine, this was very shocking and hard. She was kind and funny and charismatic and I’ve had so many people reach out and share their wonderful experiences with Lexi.”
“That man lied to my sister and said his divorce was finalizing and he was fully separated. [He] talked to her every day all the time and finally got her to fly out to California to come see him,” she added.
Wehr paid for Lexi’s flight to meet him in person for the first time, according to Gracie, who said the pair went to dinner at Nobu and drinks at the Pendry Hotel hours before the fatal crash.
Wehr posted an image on his Instagram story before the crash from the Pendry hotel, followed by a shot of the McLaren in what appeared to be a police stop.
Cops said the supercar was stopped at a red light near Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue shortly after midnight Sunday. The vehicle accelerated at a high speed once the light turned green and the driver lost control and it slammed into a tree.
The impact caused the car to split apart and catch fire, killing both people inside. Authorities did not say who was driving the car and are still investigating the incident.
Gracie said her family provided dental records to the medical examiner’s office, which has not released the names of either of the victims.
Lexi was a bartender and had just gotten a new job in a leadership role for a new company this week, according to her sister. She got an associate’s degree recently from Polk State College.
Her Instagram bio noted she was a 2026 Hooters calendar girl.
Gracie posted a tribute to her sister on Instagram, sharing a carousel of photos remembering Lexi.
“My mother always told us growing up that there was always only one person meant to be with you and have your back no matter what and that would always be your sister,” she wrote.
“Lexi was so much more than just my best friend, she was all of my love, my heart, my attitude, and my humor wrapped into a smaller, more chaotic, less filtered, package.”
“She was my other half,” she added.
Wehr was identified Sunday morning by his family and the South OC Cars and Coffee community as one of the two killed.
He was the founder of the world’s biggest weekly car show in San Clemente, which draws thousands of enthusiasts every week.
After the crash, Wehr’s wife, Emma, posted a heartbreaking tribute to him with a carousel of photos of them together.
“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. Getting the opportunity to love you will always be the greatest blessing in my life.”
The Wehr family has asked for privacy as it mourns his death. His family described him as their “darling son and brother” in a statement.
The Post has reached out to Emma and Wehr’s family business for further comment.
