A Perth-born influencer has died after a luxury supercar he was travelling in crashed into a tree and “ripped in half” in Southern California

James Wehr, founder of popular car show South OC Cars and Coffee, died along the McLaren erupted into flames on Saturday night.

A passenger also died in the crash.

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Investigators said the vehicle had been stopped at a traffic light before accelerating forward “at a high rate of speed” after the light turned green.

Police believe the driver lost control of the vehicle before striking a curb and a tree, with the McLaren then “splitting in two and catching fire”.

In a heart-breaking post uploaded to Instagram on Sunday, his mother Sarah Wehr paid tribute to her “handsome and hilarious son”.

“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,” Ms Wehr began.

“Your love for people, for your friends and your family, was second to none.

“I remember your first steps at our home in Perth, Australia. The first time you said ‘Dada!’, your very first word. I remember you sleeping through the night at 8 weeks. I remember everything. All of it.

“Your insanely great belly-laugh and your cheeky smile. Thank you for all the years we were blessed to know and love you James.

“I hope you’re getting a beer with Gramps as you both watch over us all. I love you my handsome, hilarious son.“

James Wehr pictured with his mother Sarah. Credit: @sarah.wehr/Instagram/Instagram

The 27-year-old ran the weekly car meet and show with his parents, Simon and Sarah, alongside a string of like-minded car enthusiasts.

In a post shared with South OC Cars and Coffee’s nearly 150,000 followers, a spokesperson for the company urged people to “hug your loved ones tightly today”.

“We would appreciate all of your good thoughts and prayers, and for those of you who knew James, thank you for being his friends, his mentors and his peers. Thank you for being his clients and his loved ones. We are grateful for all of you,” the statement read.

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

The car influencer was known for his enthusiasm for fast exclusive cars. Credit: @sarah.wehr/Instagram/Instagram

Mr Wehr’s death has triggered an outpouring of well-wishes and support from his family and friends.

“Only had the opportunity to meet you one time and you still showed me what kind of person you were. The car community lost a real one,” one person commented with another adding: “Can’t believe it, you were a huge inspiration to me.”

A third wrote: “Thank you for always supporting me. Always a pleasure to see you every Saturday I went to South OC. I’m so sorry. Sending prayers to your family.”