Summary (tl;dr)

Two 16-year-old girls, Gracie Brito and Elizabeth Angle, both sophomores at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas, have died following a tragic sledding accident where their sled, being pulled by a Jeep, collided with a curb and a tree.

Essential Background

North Texas recently experienced a winter storm that left roads and neighborhoods covered in ice and snow. This led to various winter weather-related incidents, including a tragic sledding accident on Sunday, January 25, when two teenage girls were severely injured while sledding.

The Full Story

On Sunday afternoon, Gracie Brito and her friend Elizabeth Angle were riding on a sled being pulled by a 16-year-old boy in a Jeep Wrangler near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court in Frisco. The sled reportedly struck a curb and then a tree, causing life-threatening injuries to both girls. Elizabeth Angle died shortly after being transported to a local hospital on Sunday. Gracie Brito, who had been on life support, succumbed to her injuries and passed away on Tuesday, January 27. Both girls were students at Wakeland High School within the Frisco Independent School District (FISD). The Frisco Police Department is investigating the incident in cooperation with the Denton County District Attorney's Office, and has stated there is no indication of alcohol involvement. Frisco ISD has confirmed the deaths and is providing counseling services to students and staff.

Why It Matters

This heartbreaking incident serves as a critical reminder of the extreme dangers associated with improvised sledding, especially when involving vehicles and hazardous icy conditions. The deaths of two high school students have profoundly impacted the Frisco community and the Frisco ISD, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences. It underscores broader concerns about winter weather safety, as North Texas has seen a surge in winter-related injuries and fatalities during the recent storm.

Geographic Location

• Frisco, Denton County, Texas, United States (sledding accident near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court)