IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) — Two people were killed when a McLaren crashed into a tree and burst into flames overnight in Irvine, police said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The impact split the vehicle into pieces and caused it to catch fire, trapping the driver and passenger inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d witness Sid said. \u201cThe whole car is just gone.”<\/p>\n
A witness also praised the officers who responded, saying, \u201cThese cops are really good, they\u2019re really fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
First responders extinguished the fire, but the two people inside the vehicle could not be saved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the fire was put out, they were found deceased inside their vehicle,\u201d Irvine Police Department representative Kyle Oldoerp said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great environment, you know. We\u2019re super lucky,\u201d Wehr told ABC7 earlier this year<\/a> while discussing the event, which grew to become the world\u2019s largest weekly car show.<\/p>\n A large car show in south Orange County is now in jeopardy after San Clemente residents have issued noise complaints.<\/p>\n