Close
MyNorthwest
News
Opinion
Sports
Tools
Connect

NATIONAL NEWS

Prosecutor drops vehicular homicide charge against teen charged in death of teacher in prank

Mar 13, 2026, 2:24 PM | Updated: 4:22 pm

Flowers lie along a fence outside North Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga., on Monday, March 9, 2...

Flowers lie along a fence outside North Hall High School in Gainesville, Ga., on Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilie Megnien)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Emilie Megnien)

Associated Press's Profile Picture

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


GAINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia prosecutor has dropped the charges against a teenager who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed a beloved high school teacher when a prank turned deadly, the teen’s lawyer said. The victim’s family had asked authorities to drop the charges.

The 40-year-old teacher, Jason Hughes, died after being taken to a hospital late on March 6, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. Jayden Ryan Wallace, 18, was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.

Graham McKinnon, a lawyer who represents Wallace, said Friday that the charges against his client had been dropped. Hughes’ family said he knew and loved the five students involved and had urged authorities to drop all charges against them.

National News

This combination photo shows Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, left, in Palmer, Alaska, Aug. 17, 2026, a...

Associated Press

What’s going on with Dan Sullivan and Dan Sullivan? The Alaska Senate litigation, explained

President Donald Trump’s administration has taken its first step to block the results of a midterm election, and it’s all about the fact that there are two Dan Sullivans on the Alaska Senate ballot. One of them is a Republican and ally of the president. The other is a retired school teacher whom Republicans accuse […]

28 minutes ago

A plume of smokes rises from MC Tank Transport Inc., where a chemical tank exploded overnight, prom...

Associated Press

Toledo, Ohio, mayor says employee error caused chemical leak, lifts remaining evacuation orders

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Officials in northeast Ohio said Friday that a chemical tank leak earlier in the week was caused by a chemical reaction resulting from an employee error and lifted all remaining evacuation orders. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said during a news conference that the venting of the tank that ruptured at MC […]

50 minutes ago

Associated Press

Severe flooding in the Four Corners region triggers rooftop rescues and evacuation orders

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Severe flooding in the Four Corners region on Friday led to water rescues — some from rooftops — and impassable roads, with some residents being told to evacuate low-lying areas of Colorado and New Mexico and others advised to shelter in place until water levels go down. It followed several […]

1 hour ago

FILE - People attend a showcase event of the company's AI assistant, Copilot, ahead of the annual B...

Associated Press

Layoffs linked to changes in corporate AI spending

The fears of a bubble in the sector grow, but the potential impact on workers in some sectors is clear. Here’s a look at some of the companies that have announced layoffs or hiring reductions this year that are tied in some way to massive spending on AI. Barclays The U.K. bank and financial services […]

3 hours ago

Associated Press

Police officer who shot and killed 1-year-old boy in Mississippi has resigned, Senatobia mayor says

The police officer who shot and killed a 1-year-old boy in Mississippi when he fired into a moving vehicle while responding to a shoplifting call has resigned, the Senatobia Mayor Greg Graves told The Associated Press Friday. Sgt. Hunter Foster had been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the Mississippi Attorney General’s office earlier this week […]

3 hours ago

President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. ...

Associated Press

Trump administration files lawsuit to block possible Democratic win in Alaska Senate race

The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit to block certification of the Senate race in Alaska if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses the contest while another candidate with the same name is on the ballot, kicking off what many have feared could become a lengthy battle between the U.S. government and states over certifying an […]

4 hours ago

Prosecutor drops vehicular homicide charge against teen charged in death of teacher in prank