Second Teenage Girl Dies After Her Best Friend Was Killed in Sledding Tragedy: ‘Our Family Is Heartbroken’

A second teen has died following a sledding accident in Frisco, Texas, over the weekend.

The Frisco Police Department said officers responded Sunday, Jan. 25, at about 2:26 p.m. local time after receiving a report of juveniles involved in a sledding incident, according to a news release. Authorities previously confirmed that two 16-year-old girls suffered life-threatening injuries. One of them — identified by family and loved ones as Elizabeth Angle — later died.

The other teen, Grace Brito — known as Gracie — had been on life support, but died Tuesday, Jan. 27, her family confirmed, per CBS affiliate KTVT. In an update obtained by police, public information officer Ryan Thomas said Brito died at the hospital.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event,” Thomas wrote.

Police previously said the two girls were riding on a sled being pulled by a 16-year-old male in a Jeep Wrangler when the sled hit a curb and crashed into a tree.

Grace’s mother, Tracy Brito, shared a statement after her daughter’s death, describing their family as “a family of four – myself, my husband, Grace and Emma,” noting that Emma is a freshman at Louisiana State University (LSU), according to KTVT.

“Our family is heartbroken and devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Gracie,” she said.

Tracy remembered Grace as “a kind and generous soul, full of love, affection, and warmth,” adding that she had “gentle strength,” the outlet reported.

She said Grace had recently earned her driver’s license. Tracy also said the family planned to honor Grace’s wishes after she had proudly registered as an organ donor, KTVT reported.

Grace, an All-Star cheer competitor at Express Cheer in Frisco, “Valued teamwork, friendship, and encouragement. She took pride in lifting others up,” her mother said. Speaking with KTVT, she added that her daughter was “creative, strong-minded, and a VERY bubbly girl.”

The family said the days since the tragedy had been “unimaginably difficult,” and Tracy said Grace and Elizabeth had been “inseparable.”

“She was one of Grace’s best friends,” she said, per KTVT. “They were always together at each other’s house.”

“We will miss her till the day we die,” Tracy added. “She is our guardian angel now.”

Luis Ramos, a coach with an FC Dallas club team, was among those paying tribute to Elizabeth, writing in a Facebook post that she was a center back who served as a “calm voice” on the team and “knew what it meant to stand her ground.”

“God called her home not in defeat, but in victory. Still guarding. Still strong. Now standing watch from higher ground,” Ramos wrote, in part. “Elizabeth, our defender. Our teammate. Forever part of us.”

WHS’ soccer team also honored Elizabeth on social media, writing on X: “Please keep her parents, sisters, teammates and coaches from both school and club, friends, classmates, teachers, and community in your thoughts and prayers during this time of grief.”

In a statement, the Frisco Police Department said the tragedy “serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by winter weather conditions.”

“For your safety, please keep in mind that snow and ice can create extremely slippery surfaces and lead to serious or even deadly accidents. Stay alert, stay indoors when possible, and avoid any unnecessary outdoor activity until conditions improve,” the department added. “Your safety comes first.”