Teen prank results in death of high school teacher

A late-night prank in Hall County, Georgia, ended in tragedy after a high school teacher was fatally hit by a vehicle, police said.

According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, five teenagers went to a home on North Gate Drive intending to “roll” the yard with toilet paper. While the group was outside the house, the homeowner, 40-year-old Jason Hughes, came out to confront them. 

Authorities said the teens, each reported to be 18, jumped into two vehicles and tried to leave the area. 

As Hughes walked toward the street, he tripped and fell into the roadway and was run over by the vehicle driven by 18-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace. 

Reports said Wallace and the other teens stopped and tried to assist Hughes while waiting for emergency crews, but Hughes was later pronounced dead from his injuries. 

Wallace has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving, along with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and littering. The four other teens were identified as Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Luque, and Ariana Cruz.

They face misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and littering. 

Hughes was a math teacher and golf coach at North Hall High School.  

"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. 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," the school said.