A second teenager has tragically lost her life following a devastating sledding accident in Texas that also claimed the life of her best friend, leaving two families and a community in mourning.
Heartbreaking Loss of Two Inseparable Friends
Grace Brito, 16, succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday after being placed on life support following Sunday's horrific accident in Frisco. Her passing comes just days after her best friend, Elizabeth Angle, also 16, died hours after the collision.
The two teenagers were riding on a sled being pulled by a 16-year-old boy driving a Jeep Wrangler when the vehicle struck a curb and violently slammed into a tree, according to official reports from the Frisco Police Department.
A Mother's Devastation and Tribute
Grace's mother, Tracy Brito, said her family has been left "heartbroken and devastated" by the loss of her daughter, describing Grace as a "kind and generous soul, full of love, affection and warmth."
The grieving mother revealed that Grace was a star cheerleader at Express Cheer in Frisco who had recently obtained her driver's license and "valued teamwork, friendship, and encouragement."
"She took pride in lifting others up," Tracy Brito told local media, adding that the two girls had been "inseparable" and were "always together at each other's house."
Witness Account of the Tragic Incident
Mark Fischer, a local resident who witnessed the accident while walking his dog, told CBS News he saw the Jeep pulling the girls along the road at speed just moments before the collision.
"I saw a Jeep turning off of one of the streets here when I was walking my dog," Fischer recalled. "And there were two girls sledding behind the vehicle, being pulled. And the Jeep got accelerated really quickly, and the girls started screaming."
Fischer believes the vehicle's speed and icy road conditions played a significant factor in the tragedy, noting that "especially when it's ice like this... to be going that fast and, you know, a sled can't stop."
Community Mourning and Tributes
Elizabeth Angle has been remembered as a "calm voice" and strong defender on her FC Dallas club soccer team by coach Luis Ramos, who posted a heartfelt tribute on social media.
"God called her home not in defeat, but in victory. Still guarding. Still strong. Now standing watch from higher ground," Ramos wrote. "Elizabeth, our defender. Our teammate. Forever part of us."
Angle was a sophomore at Wakeland High School, where principal Donna Edge said the "entire campus community is impacted by this tragedy." School officials acknowledged that "for the friends, teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers, and staff the depth of emotions is immeasurable."
Police Warning About Winter Dangers
The Frisco Police Department, which responded to the scene at approximately 2:30pm on Sunday, paid condolences to the girls' families while issuing a stark warning about winter weather dangers.
"This tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by winter weather conditions," the department stated. "For your safety, please keep in mind that snow and ice can create extremely slippery surfaces and lead to serious or even deadly accidents."
Police urged residents to "stay alert, stay indoors when possible, and avoid any unnecessary outdoor activity until conditions improve. Your safety comes first."
Ongoing Investigation and Legacy
An investigation into the crash remains ongoing, with the Denton County District Attorney's Office reportedly determining whether criminal charges will be pursued against the driver of the Jeep.
Grace Brito's family plans to honor her wishes as an organ donor, according to local reports from KTVT. In a statement, her family described the days following her passing as "unimaginably difficult," adding: "We will miss her till the day we die, she is our guardian angel now."
The tragic loss of these two vibrant young lives has sent shockwaves through the Frisco community, serving as a painful reminder of how quickly winter recreation can turn deadly under hazardous conditions.
