“‘HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.’ — BUT AN 18-YEAR-OLD STUDENT’S MESSAGE ABOUT HIS TEACHER IS NOW RAISING NEW QUESTIONS.” The tragedy surrounding Jason Hughes continues to ripple through the community, and attention has now turned to a deeply personal message shared by student Jayden Wallace. At first glance, the tribute seemed like another heartfelt farewell to a beloved teacher. But the more people read it, the more they began wondering whether the bond between Hughes and the student may have been deeper than many initially realized. According to people close to the family, Hughes had spent time mentoring and guiding Jayden over the years, offering support that left a lasting impact on the young man’s life. That connection is now drawing even more attention in the aftermath of the prom-night prank tragedy that shocked the community. What has fueled the most curiosity, however, is Jayden’s own admission about Hughes — a detail few people knew before, and one that is now prompting questions about just how close the relationship between the teacher and student truly was.

Teen charged in teacher’s death from prank gone wrong speaks out

Jayden Wallace and his family released a new statement through their attorney.

One of the teenage students accused of fatally striking a Georgia teacher in a high school student prank gone wrong is speaking out.

Jayden Wallace, 18, and his family shared a new statement with ABC News through their attorney.

Their statement called North Hall High School teacher Jason Hughes a mentor and positive influence on Jayden Wallace and that Wallace plans to live out the rest of his life in a way that honors Hughes, who was a father of two.

“Along with the rest of our family, Jay expresses his deepest sorrow and sincerest apology to the Hughes family: ‘I pledge to live out the remainder of my life in a manner that honors the memory of Coach Hughes by exemplifying Christ. He will never be forgotten,'” the statement said, adding that Hughes “meant the world” to Wallace and they’re “grieving over [the] tremendous loss.”

Student Jayden Wallace, 18, and his family have released a statement following the death of teacher Jason Hughes.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office

According to authorities in Gainesville, Georgia, Wallace and four other teenage students, who are all also 18, went to Hughes’ house last Friday to roll toilet paper on his trees.

The Hughes family previously told ABC News that Hughes, 40, “knew” about the prank and was “excited” to catch the students in the act.

Teacher and coach Jason Hughes, seen here in this undated photo, died amid a high school student prank gone wrong.
Courtesy the Hughes Family

But at some point, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said Hughes tripped and fell into the roadway while Wallace and the students were attempting to flee in two vehicles and Wallace ran Hughes over while driving one of the vehicles.

Although the students tried to render aid to Hughes, he later died at a hospital.

Wallace is charged with vehicular homicide and he and the other four students are also facing charges for criminal trespassing.

Wallace is scheduled for a court appearance on April 1 but Darragh said he expects to make a decision before the hearing.

This week, crisis teams and therapy dogs were brought in to North Hall High School to help students and provide comfort for the community. Students also remembered Hughes as a devoted father, admired teacher and compassionate coach.

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