Former MSU student Melissa Ernest died Saturday afternoon after she lost control of her SUV on U.S. 127.

Ernest, a Jackson native, was traveling southbound near Kipp Road in Mason when she hit an embankment, an official with the Michigan State Police said. Ernest's 2001 Ford Escape flipped and she was thrown from the car. She was pronounced dead at Sparrow Hospital shortly after arriving.

She was not wearing a seat belt, police said.

Ernest was alone in the car, and officials say alcohol and drugs were not factors in the accident.

She attended MSU for a year and was living in East Lansing.

The accident is under investigation.

Visitations will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Wetherby Funeral Home, 402 Wildwood Ave. in Jackson.