🚨 “THINGS ARE NOT AS SIMPLE AS THEY MIGHT SEEM…” 😱

Everyone thought it was just a fun sled ride gone wrong — hit a curb, slammed a tree, end of story. But new details from investigators are flipping the script: The first impact with the curb wasn’t the end… it was the beginning of the nightmare.

Experts say that initial hit changed the sled’s path in a split second, sending the girls hurtling toward disaster in ways no one saw coming.

This isn’t just tragedy — it’s a warning that could save lives.

The full story will leave you stunned… 💔

👇 Click now before it’s too late — you need to know what really happened.

As the Frisco community continues to grieve the loss of two 16-year-old best friends in a sledding accident during a rare winter storm, new investigative details are emerging that suggest the incident unfolded in a more complex sequence than initially appeared. Authorities and accident reconstruction experts indicate that the sled carrying Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle and Grace “Gracie” Brito first struck a curb before colliding with a tree — an initial impact that may have dramatically shifted the sled’s direction and contributed to the catastrophic outcome.

The accident occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in a residential area near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court. According to the Frisco Police Department, a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler towing the two girls on a sled through the snow-covered neighborhood. At approximately 2:20 p.m., the sled veered off course, struck a curb, and then slammed into a tree. Both teenagers sustained life-threatening injuries and were rushed to local hospitals. Angle died later that day, while Brito remained on life support until passing away on Tuesday, January 27.

Initial reports focused on the tree collision as the primary cause of the fatalities, but preliminary findings now highlight the curb strike as a critical factor. Police investigators, working with input from accident reconstruction specialists, have noted that the curb impact likely caused the sled to rotate, lose stability, or change its trajectory in a way that directed it straight toward the tree at high speed. The sudden alteration — potentially involving a jolt, spin, or ejection of the riders — could explain the severity of the injuries despite the seemingly short distance between the curb and the tree.

Experts familiar with similar towed-sled incidents emphasize that curbs, often overlooked as minor obstacles, can act as “launch points” or destabilizers in high-speed towing scenarios. When a sled traveling at 15-25 mph (common speeds reported in neighborhood towing activities) hits a raised curb edge, the front can dig in or bounce, causing the rear to swing out or the entire sled to flip or yaw violently. In this case, that initial contact may have redirected the sled’s momentum, reducing reaction time and making a collision with the nearby tree almost inevitable.

Frisco police have described the investigation as ongoing, with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney’s Office. No charges have been filed against the driver as of early February 2026, but officials are examining factors such as vehicle speed, towing method (including rope length and attachment), snow and ice conditions from the recent storm, and whether the curb strike introduced an unpredictable dynamic. The tight clustering of personal items — phones, jackets, and other belongings — found just feet from the wreckage, as previously reported, aligns with a very abrupt deceleration sequence: first the curb jolt, then the tree impact within seconds.

The physics of such accidents underscores why the curb strike matters. Traditional sledding on hills allows riders some control through body positioning, but towed sleds lack brakes, steering, or suspension. Hitting a curb at speed can generate forces equivalent to a low-speed car crash, but concentrated on unprotected bodies. Reconstruction specialists often use skid marks, debris patterns, and witness statements to model the event. In this instance, the curb may have acted as a “pivot point,” causing the sled to whip around or pitch forward, amplifying the energy transferred to the girls upon hitting the tree.

This detail adds layers to an already heartbreaking story. Angle and Brito, sophomores at Wakeland High School, were described by family and friends as inseparable. Angle was a dedicated soccer player known for her kindness and work ethic, while Brito excelled as an All-Star cheerleader with Express Cheer, remembered for her warmth and generosity. Family statements have highlighted their close bond — one particularly poignant account noted that the girls were “holding on to each other” during the ride, a final act of friendship amid chaos. Brito’s family also shared that she wished to be an organ donor, and that process was underway following her death.

The broader community response has been overwhelming. Vigils, including one at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, have drawn hundreds. Fundraising efforts and memorials at Wakeland High School and the accident site continue, with flowers, notes, and sports memorabilia left in tribute. Parents of both girls have spoken publicly, urging caution during winter activities. Angle’s family emphasized awareness of how quickly fun can turn dangerous, while Brito’s mother described her daughter as “a kind and generous soul, full of love, affection, and warmth.”

This tragedy is part of a troubling pattern during the January 2026 winter storm in North Texas. Hospitals, including Cook Children’s Medical Center, reported dozens of sledding-related injuries, with at least three fatalities involving towed sleds or similar setups across the region. In nearby Ponder, a 17-year-old died after an ATV-towed kayak sled struck a fence. Authorities have renewed warnings against towing sleds behind vehicles on public roads or near obstacles, citing the lack of control and potential for sudden impacts to escalate risks dramatically.

Safety advocates point out that even modest speeds combined with urban hazards like curbs, trees, mailboxes, or parked cars can lead to severe outcomes. Recommendations include sticking to open hills without towing, using proper sleds with handles and brakes where possible, wearing helmets, and supervising all activities. The curb strike in the Frisco case illustrates how a seemingly minor feature of the landscape can become a decisive factor.

As investigators continue piecing together the exact sequence — including video from nearby homes, witness accounts, and physical evidence — the focus remains on understanding not just what happened, but why a joyful outing ended so catastrophically. The phrase “things are not as simple as they might seem” captures the evolving picture: what appeared to be a straightforward tree collision may trace back to that first, fateful curb contact that altered everything in an instant.

For the families of Elizabeth Angle and Grace Brito, the pain is profound and enduring. Their daughters’ lives — filled with sports, friendship, and promise — were cut short in a moment that began innocently. The community mourns not only the loss but also grapples with lessons that might prevent future heartbreak. In Frisco and beyond, the hope is that greater awareness of hidden dangers in winter play — starting with something as ordinary as a curb — will honor the memory of two bright young lives lost far too soon.