A devastating sledding accident in Frisco has claimed the lives of two 16-year-old best friends, sending shockwaves through the North Texas community as it grapples with an unusual winter storm that brought both joy and tragedy.
Wakeland High School sophomores Elizabeth Angle and Grace Brito died after their sled hit a curb and collided with a tree while being towed by a Jeep Wrangler on Sunday near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court. Elizabeth died shortly after the accident, while Grace, who had been on life support, succumbed to her injuries Tuesday night.
“We are a family of four – myself, my husband, Grace and Emma,” a family member shared before Grace’s passing. “They were holding on to each other on the sled. Our hearts go out to the Brito family. We are forever connected.”
Community Mourns as Investigation Continues
The tight-knit Frisco community has scheduled a prayer vigil for Thursday at 6 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church to remember the two teenagers. Meanwhile, Wakeland High School officials are planning to honor the girls’ memories and have made grief counselors available to students.
What began as winter fun turned tragic in mere seconds. Authorities say a 16-year-old boy driving a Jeep Wrangler was towing the girls on a sled when they struck a curb and then collided with a tree. The Frisco Police Department, working alongside the Denton County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident, though preliminary findings indicate alcohol was not a factor.
No criminal charges have been mentioned yet regarding the teenage driver.
Broader Impact of Winter Weather
The tragedy highlights the hidden dangers that can accompany rare snow events in regions unaccustomed to winter weather. Since the weekend, Cook Children’s Medical Center has treated 52 children between the ages of 2 and 17 for sledding-related injuries, including broken bones, head trauma, and internal organ damage.
For many Texas families, snow days typically bring rare opportunities for winter fun in a state that seldom sees significant accumulation. But this week’s festivities quickly turned to heartbreak for the families of Elizabeth and Grace.
As the community prepares to gather in remembrance, two empty desks at Wakeland High School stand as stark reminders of lives cut tragically short — and of winter pastimes that, while seemingly innocent, can carry unexpected risks.
