Family of Georgia teacher dies over weekend high school students prank Wrong said they fully support dropping criminal charges against the five teenage students involved in the prank.
The family of North Hall High School math teacher and coach Jason Hughes said in a statement to ABC News: “We are so grateful for everyone’s outpouring of prayers and support in response to Jason’s passing. We ask that you continue to pray for our family and the students involved in the accident and their families. Please join us in extending grace and mercy to them, just as Christ did for us.”
Family members also said Hughes knew the students were coming to his home and was excited to catch them in the act of prank.
Courtesy of the Hughes Family – Photo: In this undated photo, teacher and coach Jason Hughes was killed in a prank on high school students.
“This is a terrible tragedy and our family is determined to prevent another tragedy from happening and ruining the lives of these students,” the family added. “This would go against Jason’s lifelong commitment to investing in the lives of these children.”
Police in Gainesville, Georgia, said the five teenagers — Jaden Wallace, Ariana Cruz, Aiden Hakes, Anna Luke and Elijah Owens — went to Hughes’ home Friday night and threw toilet paper at trees inside the house.
When Hughes walked outside, the 18-year-old students tried to escape in two vehicles, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. At one point, Hughes apparently tripped and fell into the roadway, where one of the teenage students, Jayden Wallace, knocked him down, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
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The Sheriff’s Office said Wallace and other teens tried to render aid, but Hughes later died at the hospital.
Wallace was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving and could face up to 15 years in prison, according to the Sheriff’s Office. All five teens were also charged with trespassing on private property and littering.
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The Gainesville community is now mourning Hughes and supporting his wife, Laura, also a teacher at North Hall High School, and their two sons.
One of Hughes’ former students, Sheldon Maynor, recalled him in an interview with ABC News.
“He was a great man, a God-fearing man,” Maynor said. “He would do anything. He would take the shirt off his back and give it to you.”
Matt Williams, a friend of Hughes, also said, “The family wants to make it clear that they know these children, they love them, and these children love the Hughes family. This was not an act of malice.”