Georgia Teacher Is Killed After Teenagers’ Prank Goes Wrong

Late on Friday night, a group of teenagers in Gainesville, Ga., drove to one of their teacher's homes with rolls of toilet paper for a prank.

“Advertisement Supported by The teacher’s family “supports getting the charges dropped for all involved,” after a planned toilet-paper prank became a fatal car accident”

New York Times

Their teacher, Jason Hughes, 40, who knew it was coming and "couldn't wait to surprise his students," slipped on ground made slick by rain and fell into the street as he headed toward the group.

New York Times

The students had jumped into their vehicles and started to drive away; among them was Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, of Gainesville, Ga., who, the Hall County Sheriff's Office said, is accused of running over Mr. Hughes with his pickup truck around 11:40 p.m. as he and four others tried to drive away from Mr. Hughes's home.

Mr. Wallace faces a charge of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, a felony, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said.

He also faces charges of criminal trespass, reckless driving and littering.

New York Times

The four others with Mr. Wallace, all 18 and all of Gainesville (about 55 miles northeast of Atlanta), were charged with criminal trespass and littering, misdemeanors, the sheriff’s office said.

Mr. Wallace and the others stopped and tried to administer first aid.

Emergency medical workers arrived, Mr. Hughes was taken to a hospital, and he was pronounced dead.

All five teenagers were released on bond on Sunday.

Attempts to reach Mr. Wallace on Sunday evening were unsuccessful, and it was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

Laura Hughes, Mr. Hughes’s wife and a teacher at North Hall, said her husband and the students involved loved one another and that the family fully 'supports getting the charges dropped for all involved.'

“Advertisement Supported by The teacher’s family “supports getting the charges dropped for all involved,” after a planned toilet-paper prank became a fatal car accident”

New York Times

She called the episode 'a terrible tragedy' and said the family was determined 'to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students.'

She said such prosecutions would be 'counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.'

Will Schofield, superintendent of the Hall County School District, confirmed Mr. Hughes was a teacher, coach and club sponsor.

Schofield said, '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.'

He added, 'Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.'