A pedestrian whose tire came off her vehicle was killed Thursday morning when she crossed the road to retrieve it, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

It happened around 7 a.m. on M-51 near Pucker Street.

The victim has been identified as 56 year-old Veronica Gary of Dowagiac.

Officials determined that a loose tire came off the vehicle as she was pulling off the road. She was struck crossing the street to bring that tire back to her vehicle.