Teen charged in teacher’s death from prank gone wrong speaks out
One of the teenage students accused of fatally striking a Georgia teacher in a high school student prank gone wrong is speaking out.
Jayden Wallace, 18, and his family shared a new statement with ABC News through their attorney.
Their statement called North Hall High School teacher Jason Hughes a mentor and positive influence on Jayden Wallace and that Wallace plans to live out the rest of his life in a way that honors Hughes, who was a father of two.
"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, adding that Hughes "meant the world" to Wallace and they're "grieving over [the] tremendous loss."
According to authorities in Gainesville, Georgia, Wallace and four other teenage students, who are all also 18, went to Hughes' house last Friday to roll toilet paper on his trees.
The Hughes family previously told ABC News that Hughes, 40, "knew" about the prank and was "excited" to catch the students in the act.
But at some point, the Hall County Sheriff's Office said 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.
Although the students tried to render aid to Hughes, he later died at a hospital.
Wallace is charged with vehicular homicide and he and the other four students are also facing charges for criminal trespassing.
The Hughes family is adamant the incident was a tragic accident and fully support dropping the charges against the teenage students.
District attorney Lee Darragh told ABC News he is reviewing the case and will give "great deference" to the Hughes family's wishes.
All five students have since been released on bond.
Wallace is scheduled for a court appearance on April 1 but Darragh said he expects to make a decision before the hearing.
This week, crisis teams and therapy dogs were brought in to North Hall High School to help students and provide comfort for the community. Students also remembered Hughes as a devoted father, admired teacher and compassionate coach.
