Read the full article on KETV 7
Charges against a group of Georgia teens have been dropped after a beloved teacher died following a high school prank that took a devastating and deadly turn, according to reports. Teacher Jason Hughes, who was 40 years old, died after being taken to a hospital late on March 6, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.On Friday evening, Graham McKinnon, a lawyer representing Wallace, said the prosecutor has dropped the charges against Wallace, who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed Hughes.Local CNN affiliates WANF and WXIA report the charges against all of the students have been dropped, which is a move Hughes’ family supported.The students had gone to Hughes’ home around 11:40 p.m. on March 6 and began wrapping his trees with toilet paper, the sheriff’s office said. The teens started to leave when Hughes came outside — his family said he had heard in advance about the prank and hoped to surprise them.As one of the teens began to drive away in a pickup truck, “Hughes tripped and fell into the road and was run over,” the sheriff’s office said.After Hughes was struck, the teens stopped and tried to render aid until emergency responders arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.The Associated Press reports that McKinnon said Wallace and his friends were playing a “competitive game” that has long been a tradition at North Hall High School.Vehicular homicide charges, McKinnon said, didn’t make sense because Jaden didn’t use his car unsafely or improperly.“Jaden is still grieving deeply, but he’s determined eventually to carry on and live his life in a way that would make Coach Hughes proud.”Hughes — who taught math and helped coach golf, football and baseball at North Hall High School in Gainesville — was a “mentor” to Wallace, McKinnon said.“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ. He will never be forgotten,” Wallace said in a statement released by his family on Wednesday.Hughes’ family had issued a statement earlier this week saying he knew and loved the five students involved and urging authorities to drop all charges against them.“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Hughes’ family said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”A GoFundMe has been launched to support the Hughes family.The Associated Press and CNN contributed to this story.
Charges against a group of Georgia teens have been dropped after a beloved teacher died following a high school prank that took a devastating and deadly turn, according to reports.
Teacher Jason Hughes, who was 40 years old, died after being taken to a hospital late on March 6, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.
Advertisement
On Friday evening, Graham McKinnon, a lawyer representing Wallace, said the prosecutor has dropped the charges against Wallace, who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed Hughes.
Local CNN affiliates WANF and WXIA report the charges against all of the students have been dropped, which is a move Hughes’ family supported.
The students had gone to Hughes’ home around 11:40 p.m. on March 6 and began wrapping his trees with toilet paper, the sheriff’s office said. The teens started to leave when Hughes came outside — his family said he had heard in advance about the prank and hoped to surprise them.
As one of the teens began to drive away in a pickup truck, “Hughes tripped and fell into the road and was run over,” the sheriff’s office said.
After Hughes was struck, the teens stopped and tried to render aid until emergency responders arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Associated Press reports that McKinnon said Wallace and his friends were playing a “competitive game” that has long been a tradition at North Hall High School.
Vehicular homicide charges, McKinnon said, didn’t make sense because Jaden didn’t use his car unsafely or improperly.
“Jaden is still grieving deeply, but he’s determined eventually to carry on and live his life in a way that would make Coach Hughes proud.”
Hughes — who taught math and helped coach golf, football and baseball at North Hall High School in Gainesville — was a “mentor” to Wallace, McKinnon said.
“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ. He will never be forgotten,” Wallace said in a statement released by his family on Wednesday.
Hughes’ family had issued a statement earlier this week saying he knew and loved the five students involved and urging authorities to drop all charges against them.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Hughes’ family said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to support the Hughes family.
The Associated Press and CNN contributed to this story.
