need to know
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Georgia high school teacher Jason Hughes died in a prank at his home on Friday, March 6
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Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving, and four others were arrested
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Just days before the fatal prank, the Hall County School District warned students that prom pranks “went too far.”
A Georgia high school teacher died after an alleged prank came just days after his school district warned students that pranks this past prom season “went too far.”
Jason Hughes, 40, was run over and killed by an 18-year-old man who was playing a prank with four other people at his Gainesville, Georgia, home late Friday night, March 6, WSB-TV and NBC affiliate WXIA reported, citing the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Five people, including 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace, covered or “rolled” the teacher’s tree with toilet paper, WXIA reported. The outlet quoted police as saying that when Hughes emerged from the home, the group fled the scene in two different vehicles.
One of the vehicles was Wallace’s pickup truck, which Wallace used to run over Mr. Hughes after he tripped and fell on the road, WXIA and WSB-TV reported.
According to media reports, Wallace and others involved in the prank stopped to try to help Hughes until emergency crews arrived on the scene. He later died in hospital.
Jason Hughes
Image source: gofundme
Police arrested Wallace at the scene and four others, identified by WSB-TV: Elijah Tate Owens, 18, Aiden Hucks, 18, Ana Katherine Luque, 18, and Ariana Cruz. According to WXIA, they are both Gainesville residents, as is Hughes.
Wallace was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving in connection with Hughes’ death, WSB-TV and WXIA reported. He and four others at the scene were also charged with trespassing on private property and littering, according to media reports.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, March 8.
Hughes is a teacher at North Hall High School in Hall County, Georgia, and the father of two young boys, according to the GoFundMe campaign. In a statement obtained by WXIA, a Hall County School District spokesperson called him a “loving husband” and “devoted father.”
“Our hearts are broken,” the district’s statement read. “Jason Hughes was a loving husband, devoted father, passionate teacher, mentor and coach who was deeply loved and respected by his students and colleagues. He gave so much to so many people in so many ways. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife and family. We ask that the media and public respect their privacy as they mourn this incredible loss.”
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Hall County Sheriff’s Department Vehicles
Photo Credit: Hall County Sheriff’s Department/Facebook
Just days before the fatal incident on March 6, the district warned students about prom pranks, including the so-called “Junior/High School Fight,” saying in a statement to parents and students on Facebook that some of the pranks over the past few years had “gone too far.”
“While we know prom is a time to celebrate and create lasting memories, we must emphasize the importance of responsible behavior and respect for others and their property,” the Hall County School District said in part. “In previous years, some pranks during prom — sometimes referred to as junior/high school wars — went too far and resulted in property damage.”
“We urge all students not to participate in any activities that may cause harm or damage to school or personal property. Such actions not only reflect poorly on the individuals involved, but also harm the reputation of our schools, families and communities,” the district continued. “It is important to recognize the potentially serious consequences of engaging in disruptive behavior.”
The district went on to warn that “damaging property may result in criminal charges, not to mention the potential impact on your participation in graduation ceremonies and other special events planned for this time of year.”
“We cannot stress enough the importance of making responsible choices and considering the long-term effects of actions,” the district warned.
Read the original article on People
