A man killed Monday in a motorcycle accident crossed the center line before crashing into an oncoming truck, police said.

Georgia State Patrol Sr. Trooper Tommy Strickland said Brian Buresh, 19, of Carolina Trail, was killed just before 6 p.m. Monday when he entered the path of a black Ford F250 driven by Christopher M. Simmons, 33, of Palm Tree Road in Jesup.

Buresh was traveling eastbound on Williams Road, approaching Pear Orchard Road, as Simmons was driving westbound. Buresh, who did not have a motorcycle license, crossed the center line and struck Simmons' truck on the front passenger side, Strickland said.

The impact caused the motorcycle's gas tank to ignite and crushed Buresh's helmet. The fire ignited grass on both sides of the road, as well as Buresh, who was killed on impact, Strickland said.

Statesboro firefighters extinguished the flames as troopers, Bulloch County sheriff's deputies and Bulloch County EMS responded to the scene. Simmons was not seriously injured, only having an abrasion from his airbag, Strickland said.

Buresh's body was thrown 101 feet after impact, he said.
No charges are filed. Strickland said he could not comment upon either driver's speed as the investigation is ongoing.

Buresh was a 2011 graduate of Charter Conservatory for Arts and Technology, having moved to Statesboro with his family in 1999.

Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.