A 29-year-old Kailua-Kona male motorcyclist who died in a two-vehicle collision on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the intersection of Palani Road and Kealaka’a Street in North Kona, has been positively identified as Zachary Mcquaid Stubbs.

Responding to a call at 7:56 p.m., police investigation revealed that a black 2023 Yamaha XTZ690 traveling north (mauka) had overtaken several vehicles on Palani Road prior to the crash. After passing the vehicles, the motorcycle was then observed disregarding a red stop light and drove between two stopped vehicles at the intersection. The motorcycle clipped a silver 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup truck that was being operated by a 59-year-old Kailua-Kona man. After clipping the Nissan pickup, the rider was ejected from the motorcycle and struck a utility pole.  Stubbs was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and was pronounced dead at 10:04 p.m. 

Police believe that speed was a factor in the crash. Stubbs was not wearing a helmet.

The Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Officer Ansel Robinson at 326-4646, ext. 229, or email at ansel.robinson@hawaiicounty.gov.

This is the 19th traffic fatality this year compared to 9 at this time last year.