FRISCO, TX - An afternoon of winter fun turned deadly in Texas over the weekend, serving as a sobering reminder to Clay County teenagers and parents about the dangers of risky winter activities.
According to Frisco Police, a 16-year-old girl was killed and another critically injured Sunday afternoon when a sled being pulled by a vehicle crashed into a curb and then a tree in a residential neighborhood. The incident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. when a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler towing the sled with two 16-year-old girls aboard.
Witnesses told police the vehicle accelerated rapidly before the sled lost control.
Responding officers found both girls suffering from life-threatening injuries and immediately began lifesaving measures. Both were transported to a local hospital, where one of the girls later died. The second remains in critical condition. Authorities are not releasing the names of those involved because they are minors.
Mark Fischer, a resident of the neighborhood, said he watched the teens moments before the crash and immediately sensed something was wrong.
“The Jeep got accelerated really quickly, and the girls started screaming. I don’t know if it was from having fun or what,” Fischer said. “Then I lost sight of them as they came around the corner, and that was the last I heard. From what I saw, especially on ice like this, to be going that fast — a sled can’t stop.”
Another neighbor, Caroline Rubalcaba, said the tragedy hit close to home as she struggled to explain what happened to her son.
“It’s awful. I just — I can’t really comprehend it yet,” she said.
While police have not announced whether the teenage driver will face criminal charges, the investigation is ongoing with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney’s Office.
Local officials and safety advocates say the tragic accident should serve as a warning for families in Clay County as winter weather creates icy roads and tempting conditions for sledding and other outdoor activities.
Pulling sleds behind vehicles, even at what may seem like low speeds, can quickly turn deadly due to a lack of control, braking ability, and protection for riders. Ice-covered roads dramatically increase those dangers.
Parents are urged to talk with their children about winter safety, set clear boundaries, and discourage dangerous activities that may appear harmless but carry serious risks.
As winter weather continues across Eastern Kentucky, authorities stress that no amount of fun is worth a life — a lesson learned far too painfully by one Texas community, and one Clay County families hope never to experience.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here