Beloved Dearborn Heights basketball coach recovering after fiery crash

Jala Petree is still hospitalized with serious injuries from the March 18 collision with a semi truck.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:07am

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Jala Petree, a beloved youth basketball coach in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, is still recovering in the hospital after a fiery crash with a semi truck on March 18. Petree suffered multiple serious injuries, including a broken femur, dislocated hips, head trauma, and burns, but has been making progress each day thanks to the quick actions of good Samaritans who pulled her from the wreckage. Her family is grateful for the community support as Petree faces a long road to recovery.

Why it matters

Jala Petree is a beloved figure in the Dearborn Heights community, known for her dedication to coaching young basketball players. The crash has left the community shaken, but also inspired by Petree's fighting spirit and the selfless actions of those who saved her life.

The details

On March 18, Jala Petree was involved in a serious crash with a semi truck in Canton Township, Michigan. The collision caused Petree's vehicle to catch fire, but she was quickly pulled to safety by good Samaritans at the scene. Petree suffered a broken femur, dislocated hips, severe head trauma, a broken nose, and second-degree burns over her body. She has undergone multiple surgeries and has needed round-the-clock care at the hospital, but her family says she has been making progress every day.

  • The crash occurred on March 18, 2026 in Canton Township, Michigan.
  • Jala Petree has been hospitalized and recovering since the March 18 incident.

The players

Jala Petree

A beloved youth basketball coach at Hype Athletics in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, who was seriously injured in a fiery crash with a semi truck on March 18.

Jamey Petree

Jala Petree's father, who has provided updates on her condition and recovery.

Lasha Petree

Jala Petree's younger sister, who believes basketball will play a big role in Jala's recovery.

Ava Kharoubi

One of the young basketball players that Jala Petree coaches, who described her as 'the best coach'.

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What they’re saying

“Jala is really nice. She's the best coach.”

— Ava Kharoubi, Basketball player

“She coaches the fourth-grade team, our girls team here, and they're amazing and she's done such a good job with them, which is tough for them losing their coach this summer.”

— Jamey Petree, Jala Petree's father

“Her femur was broke in half, her hips were dislocated, she had severe head trauma, broken nose, second-degree burns on her body, she was on fire.”

— Jamey Petree, Jala Petree's father

“Every day she's been fighting and we've seen progress every day.”

— Jamey Petree, Jala Petree's father

“I think that she's going to have a big motivation to tell her story, and get back to the kids and sharing her gifts in basketball. I think she takes a lot of joy in being able to give that part of her life to the younger generations.”

— Lasha Petree, Jala Petree's sister

What’s next

The Petree family says they plan to reach out to the good Samaritans who pulled Jala from the wreckage to thank them for their heroic actions.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has shaken the Dearborn Heights community, but the outpouring of support for Jala Petree and the selfless actions of those who saved her life have been inspiring. As Jala continues her long road to recovery, her family and community remain hopeful that her passion for coaching young basketball players will help drive her rehabilitation.