BUFORD — Gwinnett County authorities say a motorcyclist who was killed in an accident on Interstate 85 apparently hit an airborne tire tread that had been struck by another vehicle.

Police say 35-year-old Lonnie Cross of Hoschton was northbound at the I-985 split Wednesday afternoon when he hit the tread and lost control.

They say Cross wound up in the center lane of the highway and was struck by a tractor-trailer. He was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he died.

Police say the truck driver could not avoid hitting Cross, and no charges are pending.