A 16-year-old Texas cheerleader has died after a freak sledding accident during a rare winter storm in the Lone Star State, just days after her rising soccer star best friend was killed in the tragedy.
Grace Brito died Tuesday after she and Elizabeth Angle, 16, hitched a sled to the back of another teen’s Jeep for a high-speed ride on Sunday, the Frisco Police Department confirmed on Facebook.
During a sharp turn, the sled slammed against a curb and careened into a tree.
Grace Brito, 16, died Tuesday after a freak sledding accident during a rare winter storm in Texas.Family Handout
The girls were rushed to the hospital, where Angle was pronounced dead. Brito suffered critical injuries in the accident and had been on life support since the crash.
00:00
03:58
Brito’s family confirmed Tuesday that she had been taken off life support, KTVT reported.
Explore More
Sicko teacher sent student nauseating texts — before they had depraved, hours-long sex marathon: report
Nurse recalls alleged shower rape by broker-to-the-stars at Hamptons mansion
Florida doctor accused of stealing nearly $3K worth of merchandise at Target
“We are a family of four — myself, my husband, Grace, and Emma,” Brito’s mother, Tracy Brito, said, noting that her other daughter, Emma, is a freshman at Louisiana State University.
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Gracie. She was a kind and generous soul, full of warmth, love, and compassion.”
The grieving mother said her daughter and Angle — a Wakeland High School sophomore who played junior varsity soccer in the fall and competed for the FC Dallas 2009G club team in the offseason — were inseparable, longtime best friends.
Brito died days after her rising soccer star best friend, Elizabeth Angle, was killed in the tragedy.Wakeland Girls Soccer
She said her daughter was a devoted cheerleader and All-Star Athlete at Express Dance & Cheer.
“Cheer was her greatest passion,” Tracy Brito told the outlet. “She approached the sport with discipline, dedication, and joy.”
In an emotional statement, Express Dance & Cheer said Brito had “grown up to become a leader,” adding they were “lucky to have had time with her.”
“We will continue to honor Gracie every way we can and look for her in everything we do. Her kindness and optimism will never be forgotten, and we will hold her memory close to our hearts,” the organization told KTVT.
Brito and Angle were inseparable, longtime best friends.@elizabeth.anglee/Instagram
“Our Express family will always have a guardian angel looking over us, and we cling to the fact that Gracie is eternally safe and surrounded by peace.”
Angle’s mother told Fox 4 on Monday that she had only recently gotten her driver’s license and was eager to spend a snowy weekend with her closest friends.
“We will never be the same,” she said.
Investigators said a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler that was pulling two girls on a sled when it struck a curb and slammed into a tree.
