A BELOVED high school teacher, father, and husband has been killed in a late-night prank gone wrong.
Five teenagers have been arrested, one for homicide, after the tragic incident in Gainesville, Georgia, on Thursday.
North Hall High School math teacher Jason Hughes, 40, died after spotting a group of pranksters outside his home at around 11:40pm and being hit by a fleeing vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Office said the teacher saw the teenagers allegedly “rolling” toilet paper across his home, per 11 Alive.
He then stepped out of his home to confront the group who were getting into their vehicles to flee the scene.
Hughes then tripped and fell into the road where he was struck by the pick-up truck driven by 18-year-old Jayden Wallace.
Despite desperate attempts by the teen driver and two of his friends to help the teacher, he died from his injuries on Friday at Gainesville’s Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Hughes leaves behind his wife Laura, also a math teacher at the school, and their two children.
Wallace now faces charges including first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, criminal trespass, and littering on private property.
The four other teenagers and alleged co-pranksters, Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Hucks, Ana Katherine Lucque, and Ariana Cruz, all 18 years old, were also arrested at the scene.
They have been charged with criminal trespass and littering on private property – both are misdemeanour offenses.
“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 said in a statement.
“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 incident is still under investigation, authorities have said.
