A crash in Mendon Township claimed the life of a Sturgis woman.

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite says 22 year old Carlos Montoya of Sturgis was driving south on Silver Street near Hampton road at 11:40 AM Friday when the front driver's side wheel came off of his vehicle.

The wheel went into the northbound lane, causing a box truck that was heading north, driven by 58 year old Michael Butcher, to lose control and cross over into oncoming traffic. The truck hit a passenger car that was heading south, and driven by 20 year old Julie Zimmerman.

Lillywhite says Zimmerman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Montoya was not injured and Butcher was treated at the scene and released by Life Care Ambulance. Also assisting Deputies were the Michigan State Police, along with the Mendon and South County Fire Departments.

The crash remains under investigation.