Family of teacher who died in student prank gone wrong say they support dropping charges
The family of a Georgia teacher who died over the weekend after a high school student prank gone wrong say they fully support dropping criminal charges against the five teenage students who were involved in the prank.
In a statement to ABC News, the family of North Hall High School math teacher and coach Jason Hughes said, "We are thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support as we grieve the loss of Jason. We ask that you continue to pray for our family and also for the students involved in the accident along with their families. Please join us in extending grace and mercy to them as Christ has done for us."
The family also said Hughes knew the students were coming to his house and was excited to catch them during the prank.
"This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students," the family added. "This would be counter to Jason's lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children."
Police in Gainesville, Georgia said the five teenagers -- Jayden Wallace, Ariana Cruz, Aiden Hucks, Ana Luque, and Elijah Owens -- went to Hughes' home on Friday night to throw toilet paper at the trees on the property.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office said when Hughes came outside, the students, all 18, attempted to flee in two vehicles. At one point, Hughes apparently tripped and fell into the roadway, and one of the teen students, Jayden Wallace, ran him over, according to the sheriff's office.
The sheriff's office said Wallace and the other teens tried to render aid, but Hughes later died at the hospital.
Wallace is charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving and could face up to 15 years in jail, according to the sheriff's office. All five teenagers have also been charged with criminal trespassing and littering on private property.
The Gainesville community is now mourning Hughes and rallying behind his wife Laura, who is also a teacher at North Hall High School, and their two sons.
One of Hughes' former students, Shayden Maynor, remembered him in an interview with ABC News.
"He was a great guy, God-fearing man," said Maynor. "He would do anything. He'd take the shirt off his back and give it to you."
Hughes' friend, Matt Williams, also said, "The family wants to make really clear that they knew these kids, that they loved them and these kids loved the Hugheses. This was not a malicious act."
