The family of the Georgia high schooler who fatally ran over his teacher in a prank gone wrong called it a “devastating” freak accident, but not a “crime,” after his charges were dropped.
Jayden Wallace — an 18-year-old student at North Hall County High slapped with first-degree vehicular homicide for the March 6 death of math teacher Jason Hughes — thanked the educator’s widow for her compassion in pushing for the dismissal of a slew of charges against him and his four friends.
“Jayden Wallace and his family first want to thank Laura Hughes for her remarkable compassion and spirit of forgiveness in the face of tremendous loss of her husband, Jason Hughes,” Wallace’s family attorney, Graham McKinnon, said in a statement Friday to ABC News.
“District Attorney Lee Darragh was able to act swiftly because the facts and circumstances are not in dispute. As he was leaving the home, Jayden never saw Mr. Hughes, and Jayden’s vehicle had only traveled a few feet when the accident occurred.
“In the end, there was no crime — only an extremely sad and devastating accident. Jayde is still grieving deeply but is determined to move forward and eventually live a life that would make Jason Hughes proud.”
A judge on Friday approved the dismissal of multiple charges against the 18-year-old pranksters who were toilet-papering the teacher’s Gainesville home when he ran out and slipped before being run over.
The tragic accident also landed Wallace with charges of criminal trespassing, littering and reckless driving.
The other teens — Elijiah Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz — were arrested outside Hughes’ home and charged with criminal trespassing and littering.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Thanks for signing up!
Hughes’ wife, Laura, has previously called for the charges against the teens to be dropped, pressing that the death of her 40-year-old husband was a “terrible tragedy” but not one that should ruin “the lives of these students.”
“This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children,” she said.
Laura did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Hall County District Attorney Lee Darrah also fought to have the charges dismissed. He said they were filed without his office first being contacted.
The freak accident came hours after school officials called on the students to end the annual prank tradition as students in previous years had taken things “too far.”
