A teenager who is facing criminal charges after a senior prank ended in tragedy is speaking out for the first time, pledging to live his life in a way that honors the beloved Georgia teacher who was killed in the devastating accident.
Jayden Wallace, an 18-year-old student at North Hall High School, is charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and other offenses after math teacher Jason Hughes, 40, slipped and was fatally struck by Wallace’s truck as he attempted to flee after covering Hughes’ Gainesville home with toilet paper on March 6. However, Hughes’ family isn’t blaming the teen and asking that charges being dropped over the incident.
Authorities say a group of teenagers had targeted Hughes’ home as part of the school’s annual “junior-senior wars,” a tradition where students carry out pranks such as covering homes with toilet paper.
“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ,” the teen said in the statement. “He will never be forgotten.”
Wallace’s family also released statement, emphasizing that the teen is devastated by the death of the teacher who made an impact on his life.
“We are a family in deep remorse and grieving over such a tremendous loss in our North Hall community. Jason Hughes meant the world to our son, Jayden,” Wallace’s family said, according to 11Alive. “He took the time to invest in Jay and poured his love into him, making a lasting impact. Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family.”
Hughes’ wife, Laura, said her husband had been excitedly waiting outside his home to “catch” the teens as they covered trees with toilet paper.
But as Hughes went running after them, he slipped on the rain-soaked roadway and as the teens tried to drive away, he was struck by a truck Wallace drove.
Wallace and the other teens immediately stopped and attempted to help Hughes until paramedics arrived, investigators said. The teacher was taken to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
Four other teens – Elijiah Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz, all 18 – were arrested outside Hughes’ home and charged with criminal trespass and littering.
Hughes’ wife, who is also a teacher at North Hall High School, has since publicly called for the charges against the students to be dropped.
“There was no ‘confrontation,’” she said in a statement. “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.”
“Our family fully supports getting the charges dropped for all involved,” she continued. “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.”
The accident occurred just hours after school officials urged students to end the annual prank tradition, warning that similar stunts in past years had gone “too far.”
Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh said his office is reviewing the charges and has spoken with the Hughes family.
“I have talked with the family on the phone, and will meet them in person soon. Their request to drop the charges will be given great deference. I was not consulted by law enforcement before these charges were leveled. I will be reviewing the evidence as I should and will be deciding soon,” Darragh told 11Alive.
Wallace has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, criminal trespass and littering. He was booked into the Hall County Jail but has since been released on $1,950 bond.
A GoFundMe was created to support Hughes’ wife and two young sons. It has raised more than $470,000 as of Wednesday morning.
