The wife of a teacher who died in a tragic accident following a prank from his students has called for all the charges against the teenagers to be dropped. Five teenagers are facing jail time for a prank gone horribly wrong.
Videos by Wide Open Country
They were arrested after their teacher, Jason Hughes, 40, died after slipping and falling while chasing the teenagers following a prank that saw them cover his front yard in toilet paper.
Jason's wife, Laura, has since told The New York Times that he wasn't chasing them to angrily confront them. Instead, he was trying to catch them in the act. The whole situation was part of the prank war tradition at the school he taught at.
"The family fully 'supports getting the charges dropped for all involved,' the grieving widow said, saying her husband loved the students, who face up to 15 years in prison," the New York Post has reported.
"This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students," Laura continued, via the New York Post. "This would be counter to Jason's lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children."
Jayden Wallace, 18, could be facing up to 15 years in prison. He is charged with vehicular homicide following Jason's death.
Jason had slipped an fell when chasing the teenagers. That then resulted in him being run over by Jayden's pick-up truck.
The Students Had Been Warned To End the Prank War Just Hours Earlier
According to The New York Post, all students at the school had been warned to end the ongoing prank war. The pranks had been escalating in previous years, with some students reportedly crossing the line. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a fun and harmless prank ended in horrific circumstances.
"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 district said in a statement to the New York Post. "He gave so much to so many in numerous ways. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family."
There are no details on the teenagers upcoming case. Outside of Jayden, who faces the worst charges, his co-conspirators have been charged with criminal trespass and littering.
No further details regarding their cases or upcoming court dates have been made public.
