Community mourns death of Georgia teacher
The Gainesville community is in mourning after a North Hall High School teacher was tragically killed in a prank.
Fox – 5 Atlanta
A Georgia high school teacher has died after being run over by a teenage boy in an apparent prank, police said.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release shared with USA TODAY that 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide for allegedly hitting Jason Hughes on Friday, March 6, outside Hughes’ home in Gainesville, Georgia.
Police said Hughes, 40, died after being taken to an area hospital.
According to police, just after 11 p.m. local time on March 6, Wallace and four other 18-year-olds – Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hux, Ana Katherine Luque, and Ariana Cruz – used toilet paper to roll over a tree outside Hughes’ home.
As the group prepared to leave in two cars, Hughes came out of the house, tripped and fell onto the road. Wallace, who was driving a pickup truck, then allegedly ran over Hughes.
The teens stopped and attempted to render aid before rescuers responded, according to the release.
All five teens were charged with trespassing and littering on private property. Police said Wallace was also charged with reckless driving. It is unclear whether he has hired a lawyer.
The victim was a high school math teacher and coach.
Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield confirmed in a statement that Hughes is a teacher in the district.
“Our hearts are broken. Jason Hughes was a loving husband, devoted father, and a passionate teacher, leader and coach who was loved and respected by his students and colleagues,” Schofield said. “He gave so much to so many in so many ways while faithfully serving God. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”
Mr. Hughes was a math teacher and golf coach at North Hall High School in Gainesville, according to a profile on the district teacher site and North Hall High School’s marketing class.
“I love investing in and influencing the next generation,” Hughes said in his profile.
He was also involved with NG3, a nonprofit organization focused on student mentoring. The organization paid tribute to Hughes on Facebook, writing: “The way he invested in his family, community and next generation changed the trajectory of so many lives.”
His wife, Laura Hughes, is also a high school math teacher, and the couple has two children.
A GoFundMe page for the Hughes family has raised more than $191,000 as of March 9.
“Jason’s life was a blessing to so many. His untimely death will be indescribably difficult for his wife and two young sons for years to come,” the fundraising page says.
The school district had warned students not to play pranks before the teacher’s death.
In a Facebook post the day before Hughes’ death, the Hall County School District advised students not to engage in pranks during prom season.
“In the past, some pranks during prom season (also known as the Junior/Senior War) have gone too far and resulted in property damage,” the post said. “We urge all students to refrain from participating in activities that may cause harm or destruction to school or personal property. Such actions not only negatively impact the individuals involved, but also damage the reputation of the school, family, and community.”
The post also cited “potential serious consequences for engaging in disruptive behavior,” including criminal charges.
“The importance of making responsible choices and thinking about the long-term consequences of your actions cannot be overstated,” he added.
It is unclear whether Wallace, Owens, Hux, Luque, and Cruz are students at the school.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Contact her at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
