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IRVINE, Calif. () — Two people were killed when a McLaren crashed into a tree and burst into flames overnight in Irvine, police said.
Relatives identified one of the victims as James Wehr, who co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee in San Clemente with his father, Simon. The second victim has not been identified.
The crash happened at the intersection of Culver Drive and Deerfield Avenue shortly after midnight. Police said when the traffic light turned green, the driver of the McLaren sped off, lost control of the vehicle, jumped a curb and slammed into a tree.
The impact split the vehicle into pieces and caused it to catch fire, trapping the driver and passenger inside.
“I was about to go to bed, and then I heard a big like, skrrrr and then a big boom. Me and my friends come out. Ginormous fire,” witness Sid said. “The whole car is just gone.”
A witness also praised the officers who responded, saying, “These cops are really good, they’re really fast.”
First responders extinguished the fire, but the two people inside the vehicle could not be saved.
“When the fire was put out, they were found deceased inside their vehicle,” Irvine Police Department representative Kyle Oldoerp said.
Wehr and his father co-founded South OC Cars and Coffee, a weekly gathering in San Clemente where hundreds of ultra-luxury and classic vehicles meet.
“It’s a great environment, you know. We’re super lucky,” Wehr told 7 earlier this year while discussing the event, which grew to become the world’s largest weekly car show.
A large car show in south Orange County is now in jeopardy after San Clemente residents have issued noise complaints.
Wehr’s family shared an image on Instagram and wrote, “We lost our darling son and brother James in a motor accident. We respectfully ask for privacy as a family as we process the profound loss.”
Investigators are seeking additional information about the crash and are asking anyone who saw the McLaren before it crashed to come forward.
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