'Don't Ruin These Kids' Lives': Family of Teacher Killed in Fatal Prank Drops Charges Against Teen Suspects

The family of Jason Hughes, a Georgia teacher who died after a prank went awry, is urging authorities to drop criminal charges against the teenagers involved. They said Hughes would not have wanted their lives ruined by the tragic incident.

​On 6 March, five Gainesville teens wrapped trees outside of Jason Hughes' home with toilet paper in a senior prank considered a 'tradition.' When Hughes stepped out of his home, the teens fled in two separate vehicles, one of which was a pickup truck driven by 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace.

​As Hughes slipped onto the road, Wallace's pickup truck struck and ran him over, according to the police. The police said this happened at around 11:40 p.m. The teens rushed to administer first aid to the teacher until emergency responders got to the scene, but Hughes later died in hospital.

​Apart from Wallace, other Gainesville teens involved were Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque, Ariana Cruz, all 18. They were all arrested at the scene and face criminal charges.

​Wallace, who was driving the vehicle that had struck and run over Hughes, was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, and all five of them with criminal trespass and littering on private property, according to the Sheriff's office.​

Family's Decision to Drop Charges

​Laura Hughes, Jason Hughes' wife, told The New York Times her husband was expecting the students as they were coming to pull the prank. He said he 'was excited and waiting to catch them in the act,' and wasn't planning a confrontation.

​Laura, who also teaches at North Hall, said her husband loved the students involved, and that the family 'supports getting the charges dropped for all involved.'

​The family said the incident was a devastating tragedy, and they hope to prevent another one that could derail the students' futures. Laura said, ''This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,'

​'This would be counter to Jason's lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children,' she added.

​A friend of the deceased teacher named Matt Williams told ABC News that the family knew the students well and cared about them, adding that the teenagers also cared for the Hughes family. He confirmed that the incident was rather unintentional.

Williams said, 'The family wants to make clear that they knew these kids and they loved them and these kids loved the Hughes's. This was not a malicious act,' per People.

The family of the victim said in a statement, '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.'

Hughes is survived by his wife and two young sons.​

Prank Ignored School Warning

​The incident occurred as the district warned the students against their 'Junior/Senior wars' tradition, saying, '​While we understand that prom is a time for celebration and creating lasting memories, we must emphasize the importance of responsible behavior and respect for others and their property.'

​​Students involved in the prank gone wrong ignored the warnings, particularly those urging young people to think carefully about the potential lasting impact of their decisions.

​The five teens were all released on bond on Sunday, according to the Sheriff's Office.