'A tragic accident': DA dismisses charges in Jason Hughes death at family's request

Widow forgives teens in teacher’s death

The Hall County district attorney dropped charges against five teens in the accidental death of teacher Jason Hughes after his widow called for forgiveness.

HALL COUNTY, Ga. - The Hall County District Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges Friday against five teenagers connected to the accidental death of North Hall High School teacher and coach Jason Hughes.

Hall County DA drops charges 

What we know:

The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. on a Saturday after Hughes caught a group of teenagers throwing toilet paper across his yard for a senior prank. Investigators say as Hughes ran to catch the fleeing teens, he slipped on wet pavement and fell into the path of a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Jayden Wallace.

Wallace was initially charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving, while four other students faced charges related to the prank. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that the case has been dismissed following a direct request from the Hughes family.

'Jason was excited about the prank'

The backstory:

It all began when 18-year-old Jayden Wallace was charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving. Investigators say Wallace allegedly ran over Hughes during a senior prank at the coach's home. According to deputies, the incident happened around 11:40 p.m. on a Saturday after Hughes caught a group of teenagers throwing toilet paper across his yard. As Hughes ran to catch the teens while they were fleeing, he slipped on wet pavement and fell into the path of a vehicle driven by Wallace.

The Hughes family has maintained that the coach's death was never a criminal act. Ben Palmer, Hughes' brother-in-law, revealed that the coach was actually aware the students were coming to his home that night and was even "excited" about the prank.

The family stated that pressing charges would run "counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children." Before the DA's decision, an online petition asking for the charges to be dropped collected more than 5,000 signatures.

‘Decision to dismiss the charges’

What they're saying:

The sheriff's office issued a statement on the case being dropped. It reads,

"The Hall County Sheriff’s Office supports District Attorney Lee Darragh’s decision to dismiss the charges against the five students involved in last weekend’s tragic vehicle accident that claimed the life of North Hall High School teacher Jason Hughes.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is tasked with making appropriate charges in cases where there is evidence to do so, even when the decision to bring charges is difficult and could be viewed negatively by the public. It is the responsibility of the District Attorney’s Office to determine how to handle those charges through adjudication. We respect Mr. Darragh’s decision to dismiss the charges in this incident."

Dig deeper:

Along with Wallace, four other teenagers had been charged in connection to the prank-gone-wrong. Those charges have now also been dropped.

What you can do:

As the community mourns, a GoFundMe organized in memory of Hughes has seen an outpouring of support, raising nearly $500,000 as of March 11. 

To view the fundraiser, click here.

What's next:

Hughes will be laid to rest this Saturday.