MADISON — The rear wheel that separated from a 1996 Ford Explorer is believed to have been a contributing factor in a fatal accident Tuesday morning on U.S. Route 201 that killed a Solon woman, police said.

The accident, which was reported around 11 a.m. Tuesday near 101 Lakewood Road, remains under investigation. Police said vehicle autopsies are planned on the SUV and the flatbed tow truck that it struck, said Madison Police Chief Barry Moores on Wednesday. Lakewood Road is also known as U.S. Route 201.

Amy Bowman, 49, of Solon, was killed in the accident after she lost control and swerved into the path of the truck. Police believe the wheel separated from Bowman’s SUV before impact in the crash, Moores said.

There might have been a problem with the lug nuts used to hold the wheel on the vehicle, Moores said. When a tire is changed, the lug nuts often must be tightened after about 50 miles of driving.

“Whether that is why the wheel came off, we haven’t determined,” Moores said. “That is one of the questions we are trying to answer.”

Bowman was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

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Twitter: @rachel_ohm