Motorcyclist dies following collision with vehicle in Puna; driver taken into custody

One man is dead following a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle in Pāhoa on Wednesday, June 3.

Hawai‘i Island police responded to the incident at 5:27 p.m. on Kahakai Boulevard. When they arrived on scene, officers found the motorcyclist, later identified as Korey Palmerton, 30, of Pāhoa, unresponsive. He was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m.

While an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, police say, Palmerton was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Through the course of their investigation, where several witnesses were interviewed, the Area I Traffic Enforcement Unit determined Palmerton was traveling west (mauka) on a Honda CBR600F motorcycle on Kahakai Boulevard near the intersection of Niuhi Street when a 2006 Toyota Camry sedan traveling east (makai) on Kahakai Boulevard attempted to make a left turn onto Niuhi Street.

The motorcycle then struck the sedan.

The driver of the sedan, identified as Kade Smith, 36, of Pāhoa, was not injured in the collision. Police believe speed, alcohol and/or drugs, and inattention were factors in the crash.

As a result, Smith was taken into custody on suspicion of the following offenses:

• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• First-degree negligent homicide
• Operating a motor vehicle after license suspended or revoked for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant
• No motor vehicle insurance policy

Smith is currently being held in custody at the Hilo Police Station pending further investigation.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this collision to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at 808-961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@hawaiipolice.gov. Tipsters may also call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

This is the 14th traffic fatality of 2026 compared to 13 traffic fatalities this same time last year.