WHILE DRIVING, MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN OVER A SPAN OF ABOUT 1 WEEK BEFORE I SOUGHT A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE DAY BEFORE MY VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR, THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AS I DROVE TO WORK ONE MORNING ON THE LOCAL HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK TO THE LEFT. I SLOWLY DROVE, WITH EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, TO THE CLOSEST EXIT AND SUDDENLY MY VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THE GRASSY AREA OF THE EXIT. MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS ALMOST OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR.