A 16-year-old girl has tragically lost her life, while another teenager remains in critical condition following a devastating sledding accident in Texas over the weekend. The incident occurred as the Dallas-Fort Worth region was blanketed by a significant winter storm that deposited up to five inches of snow and sleet across various areas.
Details of the Frisco Accident
Police in Frisco, located approximately 30 miles north of Dallas, reported that the accident took place just before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. According to witness statements gathered by authorities and reported by WFAA, a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep that was towing two girls on a sled behind the vehicle.
Witnesses described how the sled carrying the teenagers struck a curb before colliding violently with a tree. Emergency services transported both injured teens to nearby hospitals, where medical staff pronounced one girl deceased from her injuries. The second teenager was listed in critical condition as of Sunday, according to official reports.
Community Reaction and Investigation
Melissa Trevino, a local resident, expressed her shock to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, stating that the accident was "shocking" to the neighborhood. She recounted hearing about the incident from a neighbor who witnessed the Jeep pulling children on a sled shortly before emergency vehicles arrived.
"We saw six or four police cars here, a bunch of caution tape, and immediately knew something terrible had happened," Trevino explained. Authorities have confirmed that their investigation into the horrific crash remains ongoing, and it has not yet been determined whether any charges will be filed in connection with the incident.
Winter Weather Conditions
The accident occurred during a period of severe winter weather that affected northern Texas over the weekend. Arctic air surged into the region, covering much of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area with significant snowfall. KDFW reported accumulations ranging from one to five inches of snow and sleet across different locations.
For many Texas residents, the bitter cold and icy conditions brought back memories of the historic February 2021 freeze that devastated the state. However, meteorologists have confirmed that this weekend's storm was fortunately not as severe or prolonged as that catastrophic weather event.
Comparison to Previous Winter Storms
The 2021 winter storm brought multiple rounds of heavy snow and ice to Texas, with below-freezing temperatures persisting for over a week. That weather crisis resulted in widespread power outages affecting millions of residents and caused substantial infrastructure damage.
According to reports from The Houston Chronicle, the 2021 freeze resulted in 246 winter storm-related deaths across Texas. The economic damage from burst pipes, building fires, and lost revenue was estimated to exceed $200 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in state history.
Current Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service has indicated that this weekend's cold spell will not persist as long as the 2021 freeze. While a winter storm warning for North and Central Texas expired on Monday, an extreme cold warning remained in effect through Tuesday morning.
Meteorologists reported that temperatures would continue below freezing initially, but abundant sunlight on Monday was expected to begin melting some of the accumulated ice. Forecasts predict temperatures rising above freezing around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with afternoon temperatures reaching near 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Weather experts anticipate that most of the ice will likely have melted by Wednesday, bringing relief to residents and reducing hazardous conditions across the region. Authorities continue to urge caution when traveling or participating in outdoor activities during winter weather conditions.
