Motorcyclist in fatal crash identified

The 26-year-old soldier whose body was discovered about 12 hours after he crashed a motorcycle on the H-1 freeway was identified by the Army Saturday as Spc. Patrick James Rodgers of Willis, Texas.

Rodgers was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Spc. Rodgers at this difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, in a statement.

Rodgers was a wheeled vehicle mechanic and enlisted in the Army in March 2010. He had lived at Schofield Barracks since July 2014, the Army said.

Rodgers deployed to Kuwait for 12 months in 2012 and was a recipient of two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal, among others.

Police responded to the crash at about midnight Friday, but Rodgers’ body — concealed by the westbound freeway guardrail near the Palama Street offramp — was not found until about 11 a.m. Friday, police said.

Officers found the motorcycle at the scene, but couldn’t find its operator in the dark. A traffic collision report was created, and police were trying to determine why the motorcyclist’s body was not found.

Police said Rodgers was wearing a helmet, and excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.

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Worker crushed to death in Waipio

A 28-year-old worker was crushed to death Thursday while unloading construction material in the Waipio commercial area, police said.

Xue Zhong Yu, of Honolulu, died of asphyxia due to compression of the neck and chest, the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office said. The office ruled his death an accident.

Police said Yu was unloading material from a shipping container at about 9:15 p.m. when he was crushed.

Police opened an unattended death investigation.

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Hiker rescued at Maunawili Falls

A hiker who injured his back Saturday in a jump at the falls on Maunawili Falls Trail was rescued Saturday, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman said.

Firefighters were summoned to the Kailua trail at about 12:15 p.m. and reached him about a half hour later, fire Capt. Kevin Mokulehua said.

The man was lifted by helicopter to Maunawili Community District Park where paramedics were waiting.