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An accused student involved in a prank that tragically resulted in the death of teacher Jason Hughes is expressing his commitment to honor the memory of his late coach.
“I am committed to living the rest of my life in a way that pays tribute to Coach Hughes by embodying the teachings of Christ,” Jayden Ryden Wallace stated in a message shared with CNN, as reported by WXIA. “His memory will always be with us.”
Wallace faces charges of first-degree vehicular homicide and reckless driving. The incident occurred when Wallace and four friends—Elijah Tate Owens, Aiden Huks, Ana Katherine Luque, and Ariana Cruz—visited Hughes’ residence on the evening of March 6, as part of a prank war among students, according to a Hall County Sheriff’s Office release obtained by Oxygen.
Authorities reported that after the students covered Hughes’ trees with toilet paper, they attempted to leave in two vehicles. As Hughes emerged and stumbled into the road, he was struck by a car driven by Wallace. Despite the teens’ efforts to provide assistance while awaiting emergency services, the 40-year-old teacher succumbed to his injuries.
In response to the tragic loss, Wallace’s parents also issued a statement offering their heartfelt condolences to Hughes’ family.
“We are a family in deep remorse and grieving over such a tremendous loss in our North Hall community. Jason Hughes meant the world to our son, Jayden,” they said, according to WXIA. “He took the time to invest in Jay and poured his love into him, making a lasting impact. Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family.”
Owens, Huks, Luque and Cruz are facing charges of criminal trespass and littering on private property in connection to the incident.
In the aftermath of Hughes’ death, his wife Laura released a statement saying there had been no confrontation between Hughes and the students that night.
“Jason knew the students were coming and he was excited and waiting to ‘catch them’ in the act,” she said, per WXIA. “It had been raining and he accidentally slipped and fell into the road in front of the vehicle as they were driving away and was hit.”
She credited the students with trying to help him after the tragic accident.
“Jason loved these students and they loved him too,” his widow continued. “Our family fully supports getting the charges dropped for all involved. This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students. This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
Matt Williams, a friend of the Hughes family, also spoke out to ABC News to voice the family’s support of the students.
“The family wants to make clear that they knew these kids and they loved them and these kids loved the Hughes’s,” he said. “This was not a malicious act.”
Just days before Hughes’ death, the Hall County School District had issued a warning to parents and students, cautioning them of the dangers of pranks that “have gone too far” and the “serious consequences” that could result from the activities.
The school district expressed their condolences to Hughes’ family in a statement Oxygen after his death.
“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 district wrote. “He gave so much to so many in numerous ways as he faithfully served God. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family.”