🚨 The sled was flying… then everything stopped in an instant. 😱 Police found their phones, jackets, and personal items scattered just feet from the wrecked sled — a chilling sign of how violently and suddenly the fun ended for two inseparable 16-year-old best friends.

What really happened in those final seconds? This heartbreaking story is harder to read than you think…

👇 Tap to read the full devastating details

A rare winter storm that blanketed parts of North Texas over the weekend turned deadly for two 16-year-old best friends when a sledding outing behind a Jeep went horribly wrong. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle and Grace “Gracie” Brito, both sophomores at Wakeland High School in Frisco, lost their lives in the incident that has left their families, classmates, and the wider community reeling.

The accident occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in a residential neighborhood near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court. According to the Frisco Police Department, a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler that was towing the two girls on a sled. At some point during the ride, the sled struck a curb, veered off course, and collided with a tree. The impact was severe enough to cause life-threatening injuries to both teenagers.

Emergency responders arrived quickly and transported Angle and Brito to area hospitals in critical condition. Despite aggressive medical efforts, Elizabeth Angle succumbed to her injuries later that same day. Grace Brito remained on life support for several days, fighting for her life, but she ultimately passed away on Tuesday, January 27.

The loss of the two girls — described by friends and family as inseparable — has sent shockwaves through Frisco. Both were active, well-liked students with bright futures ahead. Angle was a talented soccer player who competed locally and was remembered as kind, hardworking, and popular among her peers and teachers. She leaves behind two younger sisters. Brito was an accomplished All-Star cheerleader with Express Cheer and was known for her warmth, generosity, and infectious positivity.

In the aftermath of the crash, investigators examined the scene closely. One detail that has drawn particular attention is the position of several personal belongings found near the sled. Officers documented items such as phones, jackets, and other small possessions clustered just feet from the wreckage. Authorities have noted that the tight grouping of these items suggests the ride came to an abrupt and violent halt — likely when the sled struck the curb and then the tree at speed.

The suddenness of the stop is consistent with the physics of such accidents. When a sled being towed at relatively high speed hits an immovable object, the occupants can be ejected or experience extreme deceleration forces. The fact that personal items remained so close to the sled, rather than being scattered over a wider area, points to a rapid transition from motion to complete stop, leaving little time or distance for belongings to travel far.

Frisco police have emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney’s Office. While no charges have been announced as of early February 2026, officials are examining all factors, including vehicle speed, road conditions, the method of towing, and any potential contributing circumstances. The presence of snow and ice from the recent storm likely played a role in the loss of control, though exact details have not been released publicly.

The tragedy has reignited debates about the safety of vehicle-towed sledding, an activity that becomes more common during rare winter weather events in normally warm regions like Texas. Towing sleds behind cars, trucks, or SUVs can reach speeds far higher than traditional hill sledding, and the lack of brakes or steering control on most sleds dramatically increases risk. Safety experts have long warned that such practices should be approached with extreme caution, if at all, especially on public roads or in neighborhoods where curbs, trees, and other obstacles are present.

In statements shared through local media and social platforms, both families expressed profound grief. Grace Brito’s mother described her daughter as “a kind and generous soul, full of love, affection, and warmth.” Elizabeth Angle’s loved ones echoed similar sentiments, highlighting her compassionate nature and close bond with Brito. One especially poignant detail shared by Angle’s family was that the girls were holding on to each other during the ride — a heartbreaking image that underscores their inseparable friendship even in their final moments.

The Wakeland High School community has rallied in support of the grieving families. Vigils, memorial gatherings, and fundraising efforts have sprung up quickly, with classmates and neighbors coming together to offer comfort and assistance. A makeshift memorial has appeared at the accident site, where friends and strangers have left flowers, notes, and mementos to honor the two teens.

This incident is not isolated. Winter weather-related accidents involving sleds towed by vehicles have occurred in other parts of the country during snow events, sometimes with similarly tragic outcomes. In recent years, authorities in various states have issued public warnings about the dangers, urging parents and teens to avoid towing sleds on roads or near fixed objects. Experts stress that even seemingly minor speed combined with poor traction can lead to catastrophic results.

For the families of Elizabeth Angle and Grace Brito, the pain is raw and ongoing. The loss of two vibrant teenagers in what began as an innocent attempt to enjoy a rare snowfall has left an indelible mark on Frisco. As the investigation continues, the community continues to mourn, remembering not the manner of their deaths but the lives they lived — filled with friendship, laughter, sports, and dreams that were cut far too short.

The placement of those scattered personal items near the sled serves as a quiet, haunting reminder of how quickly life can change. In a single second, a joyful ride became a fatal crash, leaving behind grieving families, stunned friends, and a town asking how such a preventable tragedy could unfold.

As Frisco and the surrounding North Texas area process this heartbreak, the hope is that some good may come from the loss — perhaps in the form of renewed awareness about sledding safety and the importance of caution during winter weather play. For now, though, the focus remains on honoring two young lives gone too soon and supporting those left behind to navigate a world suddenly without their light.