Charges dropped against teens in prank case that led to teacher's death
All charges against the five teens involved in a high school student prank that led to Georgia teacher Jason Hughes’ death last weekend have been dropped, according to the Hall County Magistrate Court.
The Hall County Magistrate's Office says a judge approved paperwork requesting dismissal of the cases against Jayden Wallace, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque, Ariana Cruz, and Elijah Tate Owens.
The five teens, who are all 18, went to Hughes' house on the night of March 6 to roll toilet paper on his trees, according to authorities in Gainesville, Georgia.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office said at one point, Hughes tripped and fell into the roadway while Wallace and the students were attempting to flee in two vehicles and Wallace ran Hughes over while driving one of the vehicles. The students tried to render aid to Hughes, but he later died at a hospital.
Wallace was charged with vehicular homicide. He and the other four students faced charges for criminal trespassing, too.
"Jayden Wallace and his family first want to thank Laura Hughes for her remarkable compassion and spirit of forgiveness in the face of the tremendous loss of her husband, Jason Hughes," Wallace family attorney Graham McKinnon said in a statement Friday.
"... District Attorney Lee Darragh was able to act swiftly because the facts and circumstances are not in dispute," McKinnon continued. "As he was leaving the home, Jayden never saw Mr. Hughes, and Jayden’s vehicle had only traveled a few feet when the accident occurred ... In the end, there was no crime – only an extremely sad and devastating accident.
"Jayden is still grieving deeply but is determined to move forward eventually to live a life that would make Jason Hughes proud," McKinnon said.
Wallace and his family previously shared a statement with ABC News, saying Hughes, who taught at North Hall High School, had been a mentor and positive influence on Wallace and that Wallace plans to live out the rest of his life in a way that honors Hughes.
"Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family: '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,'" the statement said in part.
The Hughes family also previously told ABC News that Hughes "knew" about the prank and was "excited" to catch the students in the act. They also said they felt the outcome of the prank was a tragic accident and they fully supported dropping the charges against all five teenage students.
