Teens play a toilet paper prank on their teacher — and then it goes terribly wrong.
The five teenagers whose teacher died during a fatal prank will not be prosecuted, a district attorney in the US state of Georgia has said.
The teen driver had initially faced homicide and trespassing charges after Jason Hughes, 40, was inadvertently run over during a toilet paper prank at his home. The four others faced lesser misdemeanor charges.
The teacher’s family asked for the charges to be dropped to prevent another tragedy — one that could ruin the lives of the students involved. A lawyer for the driver thanked the family for their compassion and forgiveness, saying the teen is determined to live a life that would make Jason Hughes proud.
According to CBS News, the math teacher had known the students were planning the prank. He came outside hoping to catch them in the act and surprise them as they threw toilet paper over trees during their senior prank.
However, Hughes slipped and fell on the ground, which was wet from rain. As the students tried to flee in two separate cars, he was accidentally run over by one of the vehicles.
Jaden Ryan Wallace, 18, the student who was driving the pickup truck, stopped along with two others to try to help Hughes before emergency responders arrived and took him to the hospital.
Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh confirmed that the charges had been dismissed. Officials also stated that charges had not been formally filed.
Laura Hughes, Jason Hughes’ wife and a teacher at the same school, said she fully supported dropping all charges against the students.
She explained that her husband, a father of two, was beloved by his students, knew about the prank, and was actually excited to catch them in the act.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent another tragedy from occurring by ruining the lives of these students,” she told The New York Times.
“This would go against Jason’s lifelong dedication to investing in the lives of these children.”
She also thanked everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time and asked that people continue to pray for both her family and the students involved.
The family urged others to show grace and mercy, just as they have chosen to do.
Wallace’s attorney added that the teen is still grieving deeply but is determined to move forward and live a life that would make his teacher proud.