(NEXSTAR) – The charges against a group of teenagers involved in a prank linked to the accidental death of a Georgia teacher have been dropped, the district attorney for Georgia’s Northeastern Judicial Circuit confirmed to Nexstar.
Jayden Wallace, an 18-year-old student at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia, was one of five students charged after the death of Jason Hughes, a teacher and coach at the school.
Wallace was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, along with criminal trespass and littering on private property.
The other four students, all 18, were charged with criminal trespass and littering.
Teacher killed during prank thought tradition was ‘fun,’ former student says
The group had arrived outside of the Hughes house on Friday, March 6, to “roll” the trees outside Hughes’ home with toilet paper, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Hughes, 40, went outside to catch the teens in the act, but tripped and fell in front of a pickup truck as the teens were fleeing, officials said.
The students stopped to administer aid to Hughes, who was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
But the Hughes family had said early after the incident that they did not want the teens to be prosecuted.
Hughes’ wife, in a statement shared with The New York Times, said Hughes had a good relationship with the students and was not angry about the prank but rather “excited” to catch them.
A former student who spoke with Us Weekly echoed her remarks, claiming Hughes thought the annual pranking tradition between North Hall High School students and teachers “was fun.”
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Laura Hughes said.
“This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
Prior to the charges being dropped, Wallace had released a statement through his family’s attorney, saying he would never forget the impact Hughes had on his life.
“I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ,” reads a statement shared with ABC News. “He will never be forgotten.”
The Wallace family said they felt “deep remorse” over Hughes’ passing.
“Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family,” reads a statement credited to the Wallaces. “Jason Hughes meant the world to our son,” they said, adding that they were “grieving over such a tremendous loss.”
Students at North Hall High School held a memorial for Hughes earlier this week, Will Schofield, the superintendent of Hall County Schools, told Nexstar.
Schofield also said grief counselors were made available to students and community members in the wake of Hughes’ passing.
A funeral for Hughes is scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Organizers are expecting that “many people will want to attend,” and plan to open a nearby field for mourners to gather and watch the memorial service via livestream, according to an online obituary.
“Jason will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him,” the obituary reads.
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