10 hours ago
The five Georgia teenagers involved in a fatal prank that led to their teacher's death will not face prosecution, the district attorney announced.
The teen driver was initially charged with homicide and trespassing after Jason Hughes, 40, was accidentally run over during a toilet paper prank at his home. The other four teens faced lesser misdemeanor charges.
However, the teacher's family asked for all charges to be dropped to "prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students."
An attorney representing the driver expressed gratitude for the family's compassion and forgiveness, stating the teen is committed "to live a life that would make Jason Hughes proud," according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
Police reported that the math teacher was aware of the prank and came outside his home intending to surprise the students as they threw toilet paper over trees during their senior prank.
Unfortunately, Hughes slipped and fell on the rain-slicked ground. As the students fled in two vehicles, he was accidentally run over by the driver of one of the cars.
Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, the student driving the pickup truck that struck Hughes, along with two others, stopped to assist before emergency responders arrived and transported Hughes to the hospital.
Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh confirmed to BBC News that the charges have been dismissed but declined further comment.
Officials told CBS News that charges had not been formally filed.
Laura Hughes, Jason Hughes' wife and a teacher at the same school, previously expressed full support for dropping all charges against the students.
She shared that her husband, a father of two, was beloved by students, knew about the prank, and was "excited and waiting to catch them in the act."
"This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students," she told the New York Times. "This would be counter to Jason's lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children."
The family also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support during their grief.
"We ask that you continue to pray for our family and also for the students involved in the accident along with their families," they said in a statement to CBS. "Please join us in extending grace and mercy to them as Christ has done for us."
Wallace's attorney told CBS that the teen is "still grieving deeply" but is "determined to move forward eventually to live a life that would make Jason Hughes proud."
Jayden Wallace said, "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."
