The wife of a beloved high school teacher who was killed in a prank gone tragically wrong is urging authorities to drop all charges against the teenagers involved – saying her husband would never have wanted their lives ruined over the accident.
Jason Hughes, 40, a teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia, died after slipping and falling into the street and being run over by a car outside his home late Friday while chasing after students who had covered his yard in toilet paper as part of a long-running school prank tradition.
Five teenagers were arrested and charged in the incident, but Hughes’ wife, Laura, told the New York Times that the family fully supports having the charges against the teens dropped.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” she said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 11:40 p.m. when a group of teenagers arrived at Hughes’ home armed with toilet paper as part of the prank war.
Hughes stepped outside and headed toward the teens as they jumped into their cars to leave. The ground was slick from rain, and Hughes slipped and fell into the road.
Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, who was driving a pickup truck, is accused of running over the teacher as he attempted to drive away.
Wallace has been charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He also faces charges of reckless driving, criminal trespass and littering.
Four other teens – Elijiah Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz, all 18 – were charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and littering.
Authorities said the teens immediately stopped and attempted to provide first aid until emergency responders arrived. Hughes was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Laura Hughes, who is also a teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, said her husband was not angry about the prank and had been eagerly anticipating catching the students.
“He was excited and waiting to catch them in the act,” she told the New York Times.
She added that her husband had a close relationship with his students and that the family does not want the tragedy to destroy their futures.
All five teenagers were released on bond Sunday, according to the sheriff’s office.
A GoFundMe set up for the family has raised more than $200,000 in just two days.
“Jason’s life was a blessing to so many, and his untimely passing will be indescribably difficult for his wife and two young boys for years to come,” the campaign reads. “Please use this opportunity to come alongside them in their time of immediate need and future planning for his children.”
School officials said the accident came just hours after administrators had warned juniors and seniors to end the annual prank war because similar stunts had escalated too far in previous years.
“Jason Hughes was a loving husband, a devoted father, a passionate teacher, mentor, and coach who was loved and respected by students and colleagues,” Hall County Schools said in a statement. “He gave so much to so many in numerous ways.”
