A 25-year-old motorcyclist who died after crashing on the H-1 freeway in Honolulu early Friday has been identified as Francisco Perez, of Kapolei.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office released his identity today and said the exact cause of his death was still pending.

Police said Perez was traveling Waianae-bound on the freeway at about 12:30 a.m. Friday at a high rate of speed when he lost control and was ejected from the motorcycle.

Emergency Medical Services reported Perez accelerated away from a group he was riding with when he lost control.

Police said he was thrown from his motorcycle and struck a concrete pillar near the Alapai Street pedestrian overpass bridge.

Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Police said speed was a factor. It is not immediately known whether drugs or alcohol were involved.

Police shut down the freeway between Kinau Street and Pali Highway for nearly four hours to investigate.

It was the 40th traffic-related fatality on Oahu compared to 54 at the same time last year.