PAHOA, HAWAII — A motorcyclist was killed in a collision involving a sedan on Kahakai Boulevard on Wednesday evening.
Authorities responded to the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. and found the motorcyclist, identified as 30-year-old Korey Palmerton of Pahoa, unresponsive. He was operating a Honda CBR600F motorcycle westbound when he struck a 2006 Toyota Camry turning left onto Niuhi Street.
Palmerton was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m. The driver of the Toyota, 36-year-old Kade Smith of Pahoa, was uninjured and subsequently arrested for driving under the influence, first-degree negligent homicide, driving with a suspended license, and lack of insurance.
Smith is currently held in custody at Hilo Police Station as the investigation continues. An autopsy has been ordered to confirm Palmerton's cause of death; he was reportedly not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Police indicated that speed, alcohol or drugs, and inattention may have contributed to the crash. Witnesses are being interviewed, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiipolice.gov.
This incident marks the 14th traffic fatality on Hawaii County roads this year, compared to 13 at the same time in 2022.