Police charge driver in fatal Pahoa motorcycle crash

A 36-year-old Pahoa man was charged with first-degree negligent homicide, manslaughter and other crimes in connection with a fatal traffic collision Wednesday evening that killed a motorcyclist.

The Hawaii Police Department reported today that Kade Smith also was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, operating a motor vehicle after license was suspended or revoked for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, and for not having motor vehicle insurance.

Smith’s bail was set at $553,050, and he is currently being held at the Hilo Police Station pending his initial court appearance Monday.

The fatal crash happened just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when 30-year-old Korey Palmerton of Pahoa was driving a Honda CBR600F motorcycle west on Kahakai Boulevard and collided with an eastbound 2006 Toyota Camry sedan attempting to make a left turn onto Niuhi Street.

Palmerton, who police said was not wearing a helmet, was unresponsive at the scene and was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:18 p.m.

Smith, the Toyota Camry driver, was not injured in the crash.