It was a prank that turned deadly, authorities said: a group of teenagers unspooled rolls of toilet paper outside the home of a beloved high school teacher who tripped in the street and was struck by a pickup truck as the pranksters started to drive away.

The 40-year-old teacher, Jason Hughes, died after being brought to a hospital late Friday, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office said. The 18-year-old driver of the pickup was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanours.

Hughes’ family said he knew and loved the five students involved and urged authorities to drop all charges against them.

“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Hughes’ family said in a statement on Monday.

“This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”

Hughes taught maths and helped coach golf, football and baseball at North Hall High School in Gainesville, about 88km (55 miles) northeast of Atlanta.