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Published 13:54 9 Mar 2026 GMT
Updated 13:54 9 Mar 2026 GMT
A prank by students that went terribly wrong has caused the death of a teacher in the US state of Georgia.
Jason Hughes, a 40-year-old math teacher and golf coach, is now being mourned by a community in Hall County, Georgia, after his death on the evening of March 6.
The cause of his death was an attempted practical joke involving five students from North Hall High School.
The teacher died after he was run over at his home in Gainesville, Georgia, by an 18-year old who was driving as they attempted to flee.
The driver of the car and four other students had went to his home to throw toilet paper over the property.
When Hughes stepped outside the five individuals attempted to flee in two different cars, it has been revealed.
After the teacher tripped and fell into the road, one of the students, 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace, was driving his pickup truck when he ran over the teacher.
Wallace and the other students then stopped and tried to help Hughes until emergency responders arrived, but he later died at the hospital.
Wallace has now been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, criminal trespass, and littering on private property.
PEOPLE reported that police arrested Wallace at the scene alongside the four other students.
They were named as Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque, and Ariana Cruz, all aged 18.
The other four students have been charged with criminal trespass and littering on private property.
The district issued a statement following Hughes’ death, as heartfelt tributes have started flooding in.
“Our hearts are broken. Jason Hughes was a loving husband, a devoted father, a passionate teacher, mentor, and coach who was loved and respected by students and colleagues”, the statement read.
“He gave so much to so many in numerous ways. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family. We ask that the media and the public respect their privacy as they grieve this incredible loss.”
So far nearly $210,000 has been raised, well exceeding the initial goal of $75,000 of a GoFundMe that was set up for the family, to assist in any upcoming expenses and a future college fund for his two sons.
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