A Georgia high school teacher was fatally run over outside his home in a freak accident when five teens targeted his house in a late-night prank gone wrong.
Jason Hughes, a math teacher at North Hall High School, was investigating commotion outside his Gainesville, Ga., home around 11:40 p.m. Thursday when he allegedly spotted pranksters “rolling” toilet paper across his property, 11 Alive reported, citing the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The 40-year-old educator stepped outside his home and walked over to the cars that 18-year-old Jayden Wallace and four other teens were getting into to flee the area.
Hughes allegedly tripped and fell into the road as Wallace drove his pickup truck away, running over the homeowner.
The teen driver and two others stopped to check on Hughes, providing first aid until emergency responders arrived and transported him to the hospital.
Hughes died from his injuries at Gainesville’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center on Friday.
Wallace was hit with a slew of charges, including first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, criminal trespass, and littering on private property.
His alleged co-pranksters – Elijiah Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque and Ariana Cruz, all 18 – were arrested outside Hughes’ home and charged with criminal trespass and littering, all misdemeanors, WSBTV reported.
Wallace is being held on a $1,950 bond, according to jail records viewed by The Post
Hughes, a golf coach for the school district, was remembered for his love of family and dedication to his job.
“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 school district said in a statement to the outlet. “He gave so much to so many in numerous ways. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”
Hughes leaves behind his wife Laura, who is also a math teacher at the school, and two children.
It was not immediately clear why the couple’s home was targeted.
A memorial for Hughes was held at North Hall High School on Saturday and attended by mourning students and staff.
“I think he was connected through a lot of people, and I think it’s taken a toll on a lot of the community because he was very, very big in the community,” sophomore Olivia Williams told the outlet. “He was very social with people and always at events, and he was always just cheering people on, no matter what the event was.”
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