2nd Teenager Dies In Sledding Accident That Killed Her Best Friend
A pair of 16-year-old girls died after witnesses say they struck a tree while being pulled on a sled by a driver in a Jeep Wrangler, police said.
A Texas city is mourning the death of a pair of teen best friends who were killed in a sledding incident during the recent snowstorm.
The Frisco Police Department said Jan. 28 that a second girl died in the hospital from her injuries after her friend had been killed when the two were involved in a sledding accident on Jan. 25.
The girls were identified by relatives as 16-year-olds Grace “Gracie” Brito and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle, who were sophomores at Frisco Wakeland High School.
Police received a call at 2:26 p.m. on Jan. 25 about an accident in the area of Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court in Frisco and found two females with life-threatening injuries. They were transported to local hospitals where both ultimately succumbed to their injuries.
A preliminary investigation found that a 16-year-old male was operating a Jeep Wrangler while pulling the two females on a sled, police said. Witnesses reported the sled struck a curb and collided with a tree.
“We also want to clarify rumors circulating online, throughout this entire investigation, there has been no indication of alcohol involvement by any of the involved parties,” the Frisco Police Department said in a statement Jan. 28. “Please be mindful of sharing unverified information, as it can add unnecessary pain to those grieving. Frisco PD will continue to work closely with the Denton County District Attorney’s Office related to the investigation and determine the appropriate path forward.”
Angle’s parents, Megan and Brian Angle, shared the tragic news on Facebook, reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
“It is with deep despair and utter shock that Brian and I announce the passing of our beautiful 16 year old girl, Elizabeth Marie Angle,” Megan Angle wrote. “She was a bright light, a fun spirit, a brave soul. We loved her so much. She just got a car and a license and had her whole life ahead of her.
“It was all taken away so abruptly in a sledding accident yesterday. Life is fleeting and precious. I take comfort that she had people helping her til the end. We will never be the same and never forget how much love she brought to our family. Please lift her up in prayer.”
Megan Angle then wrote a post on Facebook on Jan. 28 mourning the loss of her daughter’s good friend.
“These sweet besties are together forever,” she wrote. “I find some comfort knowing they are in heaven together. Such beautiful girls. Gracie was a sweet girl and a good friend. She and Elizabeth were always talking. Gracie was a cheerleader. She was OBSESSED with the musical Wicked. She was a teenager that would actually converse with me. They were holding on to each other on the sled. Our hearts go out to the Brito family. We are forever connected.”
“(We) want to take our time to collect our thoughts about her as we want people to know she was a true gift of God,” Brito’s mother, Tracy Brito, told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. “She was an inspiration to us and her friends. She will be deeply missed.”
The Express Cheer and Dance Team in Frisco also paid tribute on Instagram to Brito, who was a member of the team.
“Her kindness and optimism will never be forgotten, and we will hold her memory close to our hearts,” the team wrote.
The tragic sledding accident in Frisco, Texas, on January 25, 2026, that claimed the lives of 16-year-old best friends Elizabeth “Lizzie” Angle and Grace “Gracie” Brito continues to leave families, friends, and the community grappling with profound grief and lingering questions. As the Frisco Police Department, with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney’s Office, reviews video footage (if any exists from nearby sources), witness testimony, and physical evidence from the scene near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court, one critical gap persists: the precise sequence of events in the final seconds leading up to the collision. Families have described this fleeting moment as the detail that “changed everything,” transforming a joyful winter activity into irreversible tragedy.
According to consistent reports from Frisco Police and multiple media outlets, the incident unfolded around 2:26 p.m. amid a rare heavy snow event in North Texas. A 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler, towing a sled on which Angle and Brito were riding—reportedly holding onto each other tightly, as shared by Angle’s mother in heartfelt tributes. Witnesses uniformly described the sled striking a curb, which caused it to veer sharply and slam into a tree. The impact ejected both girls, inflicting catastrophic injuries. Angle succumbed shortly after arrival at the hospital that Sunday, while Brito fought on life support until her passing on January 27 (or into the 28th, per some accounts). Alcohol was not a factor, police have stated, and the investigation remains active with no final conclusions released on charges or fault.
Yet the exact mechanics of those last seconds—what prompted the sled to hit the curb so violently—remain unclear. Was there a sudden swerve by the driver to avoid an unseen obstacle? Did the Jeep accelerate unexpectedly, or was the rope/sled connection unstable, causing erratic movement? Did the girls shift positions or attempt to adjust as the ride felt off? These specifics are absent from public statements. Witnesses provided the core narrative of the curb strike and tree collision, but no detailed accounts have emerged describing driver actions, sled behavior, or the girls’ reactions immediately before impact. No publicly available dashcam, doorbell camera, or bystander video has surfaced to fill this void, though authorities are reportedly considering any such evidence that may exist from the residential area.
This evidentiary gap has fueled family anguish, as relatives have emphasized how quickly “fun” turned deadly. The girls’ hesitation-turned-excitement—Gracie initially saying no before yielding to Lizzie’s enthusiasm—highlights the impulsive nature of teen decisions in the moment. Families portray the final seconds as pivotal: a split-second loss of control that might have been mitigated with different choices, better supervision, or awareness of the hazards. Towing sleds behind vehicles on public or neighborhood roads, especially on icy surfaces with curbs, trees, and uneven terrain, is inherently risky—experts and safety organizations warn of ejection, high-impact collisions, and limited driver control.
Broader context includes the driver’s age and inexperience. All three teens were 16, raising questions about judgment under pressure in slippery conditions during infrequent Texas snow. Provisional licenses in Texas restrict new drivers, but towing recreational items isn’t explicitly banned in all scenarios—though it’s strongly discouraged due to physics: the towed object can swing wide, hit obstacles, or cause the pulling vehicle to fishtail. Physical evidence at the scene—such as skid marks, rope condition, sled damage, curb impact points, and tree debris—will likely help reconstruct the trajectory, but without precise timing or video confirmation, some uncertainties may endure.
The community response has been one of mourning and reflection. Wakeland High School honored the girls with moments of silence and tributes during events like basketball games. Memorials grow at the site and online, celebrating their kindness, athleticism (Lizzie in soccer, Gracie in cheerleading), and unbreakable friendship. Gracie’s organ donation, fulfilling her recent choice upon getting her license, offers a bittersweet legacy of giving amid loss.
As the investigation progresses, authorities may release more details if warranted, potentially clarifying the final seconds through forensic analysis or additional witness input. For now, the unanswered question underscores a harsh reality: in high-risk activities involving speed, ice, and youth, moments matter immensely. The families’ pain is compounded by the “what ifs” of those elusive seconds— a reminder to prioritize caution, supervision, and safety in even the most innocent-seeming fun during rare weather events.
This heartbreaking case continues to prompt discussions on teen driving privileges, recreational hazards in winter conditions, and the need for greater awareness. Lizzie and Gracie’s stories, though ended too soon, endure through the love they inspired and the lessons their loss imparts.
