The wife of a Georgia teacher who died after a prank-gone-wrong has reportedly said she does not want any students to face charges in the wake of the incident.
Jason Hughes, a teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, was killed after tripping and falling in front of a pickup truck driven by a student who was participating in a prank outside Hughes’ home on Friday, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. Hughes had previously come outside after noticing a group of teens toilet-papering his trees, according to officials.
The students stopped to administer aid after Hughes was run over by the truck. He later died at a nearby hospital. Hughes was 40 years old.
The driver of the car, identified as Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, along with criminal trespass and littering on private property. Four other students, all 18, were also charged with criminal trespass and littering.
Hughes’s wife Laura Hughes, who also teaches at North Hall High School, has since said that their family does not want the students involved in the prank to be prosecuted. In a statement obtained by The New York Times, Laura Hughes further claimed that Hughes had a good relationship with the students, and was not angry about the prank but rather “excited” to catch them.
Jason Hughes is pictured in a photo courtesy of Georgia’s Hall County School District. (Hall County School District)
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Laura Hughes said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
Jason and Laura Hughes share two sons, according to a GoFundMe page organized to support the family.
Students at North Hall High School held a memorial for Hughes on Monday morning, Will Schofield, the superintendent of Hall County Schools, told Nexstar.
“Our hearts are broken,” reads a statement from Schofield. “Jason Hughes was a loving husband, a devoted father; a passionate teacher, mentor, and coach who was loved and respected by students and colleagues. He gave so much to so many in numerous ways as he faithfully served God. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”
Schofield also said “grief teams” were made available to students and community members in the wake of Hughes’ passing.
“I would anticipate numerous other opportunities to grieve and show support for the Hughes’ family in the hours and days ahead,” Schofield said.
The day before Hughes death, officials with the Hall County School District had warned parents and students against participating in annual school pranks (referred to as “Junior/Senior Wars”), though the message appeared intended to prevent damage to public or private property.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of making responsible choices and thinking about the long-term impact of your actions,” reads a portion of the message.
“Damaging property can lead to criminal charges, not to mention the potential repercussions on your participation in graduation ceremonies and other special events planned for this time of year,” the message continued. “We cannot stress enough the importance of making responsible choices and thinking about the long-term impact of your actions.”
Lee Darragh, the District Attorney of Georgia’s Northeaster Judicial Court, declined to comment on the teens’ charges when contacted by Nexstar.
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