Two men killed in fiery 2023 crash identified through DNA, dental records

After extensive research and validation using DNA and dental records, two men who died in a February 2023 South Kohala traffic collision have been identified as 37-year-old Jonathan Leland James of Kea‘au and 27-year-old Graham R. Shure of Kea‘au.

The men died following a single-vehicle collision in the early morning hours of Feb. 5, 2023, at the intersection of Waikoloa Road and the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in South Kohala.

Responding to a 3:25 a.m. call, police determined that a gray 2014 Jeep Cherokee operated by James was heading north on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway when it veered off the roadway and struck a large metal traffic light post.

The vehicle then caught fire, trapping James and Shure. A third occupant, a 27-year-old Honoka‘a man, was able to escape from the vehicle. All three men were transported to the Kona Community Hospital where both James and Shure succumbed to their injuries.

The third man recovered from his injuries.

Police determined that speed and impairment played a major role in the crash.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit initiated a coroner’s inquest into the fatal traffic crash and autopsies were completed to determine the exact cause of each death. It took several months to research and validate DNA and dental records in order to positively identify both men.