Charges have been dropped against a group of Georgia teens who accidentally killed their teacher during a prank at his home, after his widow pleaded for prosecutors to end their case against the youngsters.
The group of five students, all 18, were charged following the death of Jason Hughes, a 40-year-old math teacher and coach at North Hall High School.
Hughes died after being hit by a pickup truck outside his Gainesville home during a prom-season prank.
Jayden Wallace faced a felony charge of first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, while Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz were all charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespassing and littering.
The District Attorney for Georgia’s Northeastern Judicial Circuit confirmed to WHNT that all charges have been dropped.
Authorities said the five arrived at Hughes’ home as part of a long-running prom-season prank tradition in which students decorate homes with toilet paper.
The teens pulled up in two vehicles and began wrapping trees and property with paper. As they were leaving, Hughes came outside.
Hughes then tripped, fell into the road and was run over as one of the teens began driving away in a pickup truck. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Family members emphasized that Hughes was not angrily confronting the students in a statement.
In a statement released by the Hughes family, relatives described the moments leading to the crash and urged leniency for the teens.
‘There was no “confrontation.” Jason knew the students were coming and he was excited and waiting to ‘catch them’ in the act.
‘It had been raining and he accidentally slipped and fell into the road in front of the vehicle as they were driving away and was hit.
‘The students immediately tried to provide aid until paramedics arrived. Jason loved these students and they loved him too.
‘Our family fully supports getting the charges dropped for all involved. This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students.
‘This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.
‘Our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students.’
In a statement to ABC News, Wallace said: ‘I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ. He will never be forgotten.’
A further statement from his family said: ‘Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family.
‘Jason Hughes meant the world to our son’ adding that they were ‘grieving over such a tremendous loss.’
Hughes taught math and helped coach golf, football and baseball at North Hall High School.
Colleagues and students have described him as a deeply faithful mentor who invested in young people on and off the field.
Hughes leaves behind his wife, Laura who is also a teacher, and their two young sons.
