HAMTRAMCK— A single-car accident on Davison Avenue claimed the life of Hamtramck teenager Mohamed Hussein at about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Khalil Al-Refai, a Hamtramck police officer and Muslim chaplain who knew Hussein since he immigrated from Yemen as a child with his family, said the late teen had a great moral character. 

“He used to attend Quran classes,” he said. “He was a respectful, sweet kid. He grew up in the community and people loved and respected him.”

Al-Refai added that Hussein was ambitious and wanted to go to college to become a police officer.

Yemeni American activist Abdulmalik Alwajeeh said Hussein was the “epitome of good morals.” 

Alwajeeh added that Hussein attended community events with his father Mahyoub Hussein, a local businessman.

“Mohamed was nice to everybody, always smiling,” he said. “He never had an issue with anybody. May God grant his family the patience. It’s a great loss to the community.”

Channel 7 WXYZ captured a photo of Hussein’ vehicle after the accident, which closed westbound Davison. The car appeared ravaged and upside down under the Dequindre Road overpass, off of Davison Avenue.

Al-Refai said the deadly accident should remind the community’s youth to be cautious drivers, wear seat belts, obey traffic rules and pay attention to the road.

“Learning to drive is an exciting time, but please remember it’s also a responsibility on your behalf,” he said. “You should always remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. Each year, many of our youths from all ages make poor decisions that result in losing their driving privileges, injuring themselves or their loved ones.”

Traffic accidents and reckless driving have been a recurring problem in the Arab American community. On Sept. 11, 18-year-old driver Ali Aljanabi died in an accident involving a pedestrian. On Christmas of 2011, a 22-year-old woman died in an accident on the eve of her wedding reception in Dearborn. Her brothers were convicted of reckless driving causing death.