HONOLULU -- Police reopened the westbound lanes of Moanalua Freeway after an early-morning crash that left one person dead early on Wednesday morning.

The crash happened at about 3:15 a.m. at the top of Red Hill near the Ala Kapuna Street overpass, traffic investigators said.

A 24-year-old man, who police said was riding a motorcycle in the wrong direction on the freeway, fell off of his motorcycle and was hit by at least one car.

"Apparently he lost control fell onto the roadway and was struck by at least one or two vehicles after that. None of these vehicles remained at the scene," Lt. Darren Izumo said.

His body was found at least 50 yards from where the motorcycle went down, according to a police report. Police said the people in the car fled the scene.

The freeway was closed for about three hours while officers investigated at the scene.

Friends and family identified the motorcyclist as Chad Morimatsu.

"He was a very nice hardworking person down to earth that really cares about everyone, and did everything on his own,"

Joey Kaeo said he and Morimatsu were close friends who worked together in construction.

Kaeo said he is as confused as everyone else as to what Morimatsu said may have been doing when he crashed.

"Chad is not the type to go out and do things like that, especially at 3 o'clock in the morning," Kaeo said.