Hours before several students were arrested in connection to the accidental death of a Georgia high school teacher as part of a prank gone wrong, it was revealed that the school issued a warning ahead of the tragic incident — and now, the late teacher’s family is asking for the charges to be dropped against his former students.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office arrested five students on Friday, March 6, for their involvement in the death of local high school math teacher Jason Hughes. Hughes, 40, was targeted as part of a prank war that involved high school juniors and seniors.
The incident on Thursday, March 5, saw a group of students going to his home in Gainesville, and covering the front lawn with toilet paper.
Throughout the prank war, students tried to collect points with each task. Since both Hughes and his wife were teachers at the school, the prank at their home offered more points.
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The five teens — including 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace — went to Hughes’ home with toilet paper rolls, which they tossed onto the home and trees scattered across the yard. Hughes ultimately interrupted the prank, and the teens all ran away into different cars.
Investigators said that Hughes ran after the teens and tripped before he fell in front of the car that Wallace was driving. Wallace then ran over Hughes, which caused him to suffer serious injuries.
Wallace and the other teens did stop to help Hughes, and he died by the time first responders reported to the scene.
Wallace has since been charged with felony first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, and he is also facing misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and littering on private property.
The other teenagers involved in the incident — Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz — are also facing misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and littering on private property.
The prank gone wrong took place just hours after Hall County School District asked seniors and juniors to end the prank war tradition after things had been taken “too far” in past years.
“While we understand that prom is a time for celebration and creating lasting memories, we must emphasize the importance of responsible behavior and respect for others and their property,” the district said in a statement on the afternoon of March 5, per the New York Post. “In previous years, some pranks during prom season — sometimes referred to as Junior/Senior Wars — have gone too far, resulting in damage to property.”
The statement continued, “We urge all students to refrain from participating in any activities that may cause harm or destruction to school or personal property. Such actions not only reflect poorly on the individual involved but also tarnish the reputation of our schools, families, and community.”
While the teens are all facing charges, Hughes’ wife, Laura Hughes, is insisting that the charges be dropped.
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Laura told the New York Times that her husband “was excited” about the prank “and waiting to catch them in the act.”
She added that her family fully “supports getting the charges dropped for all involved” and said that her husband loved the students.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Laura said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
It is not currently clear if any of the teens have entered pleas or retained legal representation following their arrests. Wallace is facing up to 15 years in prison if he is found guilty.
