From NBC News: A Georgia teenager who was charged in a high school teacher’s death after a prank gone wrong says he plans to live out the rest of his life in the teacher’s honor.
Jayden Ryan Wallace was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide after he ran over North Hall High School teacher Jason Hughes outside Hughes’ home Friday night. Hughes’ family described the situation as an accident.
Wallace and four other people threw toilet paper over the trees outside Hughes’ home when Hughes, 40, left the house and slipped in the road, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said.
“As Wallace began driving his pickup truck on North Gate Drive, Hughes tripped and fell into the road and was run over by the vehicle,” a statement from the sheriff’s office said.
The students, who were in two vehicles, stopped to help Hughes, a math teacher, but he died later at a hospital.
“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ,” Wallace said. “He will never be forgotten.”
According to Wallace’s attorney, his family is in “deep remorse and grieving over such a tremendous loss.”
“Jason Hughes meant the world to our son, Jayden,” a statement from his parents said. “He took the time to invest in Jay and poured his love into him, making a lasting impact.”
The Hughes’ family said Hughes had been excitedly waiting for students to come and pull a prank on him so he could “catch them in the act.”
The family wants the charges to be dropped against all five teenagers.
“Our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” the statement said. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
Wallace faces multiple charges, including vehicular homicide. He and the four other teens are charged with trespassing and littering.
What do you think? Should the teens face charges or should this be dismissed as a case of bad luck and life lessons? Tell us in the comments.
Five teens are facing charges after a beloved GA teacher was killed during a high school prank gone wrong. Jason Hughes died from injuries sustained after a student accidentally ran him over with a pickup truck. @ReporterFaith has more on the tragic death. https://t.co/ixAbVo1vBn pic.twitter.com/u0kPkdPeaD
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) March 10, 2026
NEW: The teen charged in the deadly prom prank that killed beloved teacher and coach Jason Hughes is speaking out.
If convicted, 18-year-old Jayden “Jay” Ryden Wallace could face 3 to 15 years in prison.
“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the… pic.twitter.com/jIzdxiLfE2
— Caleb Parke (@calebparke) March 11, 2026
Read more at NBC News
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