A California car enthusiast and a Florida Hooters calendar model were on their first date when they were killed in a devastating fireball crash, her family has said.
James Wehr, 27, and Alexis “Lexi” Kramer, 22, died at about 12:20 a.m. Sunday after Wehr’s 2019 McLaren crashed into a tree in Irvine, Orange County. The impact was so powerful that it tore the supercar apart before it erupted in flames, killing both occupants. Disturbing video captured the wreckage left behind.
A member of Kramer’s family told the California Post that Wehr paid for her flight from Lakeland, Florida, to California on Friday. The trip marked the first time the pair had met in person after about a month of communicating through social media.
According to the family member, Wehr told Kramer he was separated from his wife, Emma, and was completing their divorce. However, divorce proceedings had not been filed in Orange County. Kramer believed she was traveling to see a man who loved her, the relative said. The couple spent Saturday together.
Wehr reportedly took Kramer out for breakfast, followed by dinner at Nobu and drinks later at the Pendry.
Before the crash, Wehr posted a photograph on social media showing his striking McLaren parked outside the hotel on Saturday night.
“He talked to her every day, all the time and finally got her to fly out to California to come see him,” the family member said.
Kramer had never met Wehr face to face before flying to California. The pair connected through Instagram direct messages and had been in contact for roughly a month, according to her relative. Kramer knew Wehr was married but accepted his claims that the relationship was essentially over. “She only knew from what he told her that they were almost done finalizing their divorce,” the family member said.
The relative said the family had cautioned Kramer to question whether Wehr was truly pursuing a divorce. Kramer nevertheless wanted to trust him. “She tried so hard to give him the benefit of the doubt because I was wary about if he was actually getting divorced,” the family member said.
On the night of the crash, Kramer sent a family member a photograph from breakfast with the message: “At cute breakfast place.”
The image showed a man in profile whose tattoo sleeve appeared to match Wehr’s.
Police said the McLaren had been stopped at a red light before accelerating rapidly when the signal turned green.
The driver then lost control, went over a curb and struck a tree. Investigators have not determined who was behind the wheel or disclosed an exact speed as the crash investigation continues.
The Post has contacted Wehr’s family and business seeking comment.
