A Pahoa man was charged with multiple offenses following a fatal motorcycle crash on Kahakai Boulevard Wednesday evening.
According to the Hawaii Police Department, Kade Smith, 36, faces first-degree negligent homicide and manslaughter charges, as well as operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. He was also charged for driving with a suspended or revoked license and lacking motor vehicle insurance. Smith's bail is set at $553,050, and he remains at Hilo Police Station awaiting an initial court appearance on Monday.
The collision occurred just before 5:30 p.m. when 30-year-old Korey Palmerton, riding a Honda CBR600F motorcycle westbound, struck a 2006 Toyota Camry making a left turn onto Niuhi Street. Palmerton was not wearing a helmet and was found unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m.
Authorities confirmed that Smith, the driver of the Toyota Camry, was unharmed in the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, with lane closures reported during the response.