In a somber update from Frisco, Texas, the local community and the Frisco Independent School District are grappling with the aftermath of a tragic sledding accident that claimed the life of 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle and left another teenager, identified only as her best friend Grace, in critical condition, as reported by WFAA and corroborated by details from an interview with Angle's family given to CBS News Texas.
This heartbreak unfolded on Sunday around 2:30 p.m. when Elizabeth and Grace were sledding and struck a tree after their sled, towed by a Jeep Wrangler driven by a 16-year-old boy, hit a curb; the exact circumstances of how it all happened continue to be under investigation by the Frisco Police Department, with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney's Office, with no arrests made as of yet. Elizabeth’s parents, during an emotional conversation, told CBS News Texas they are experiencing profound loss, their daughter being the family's middle child and a young person full of life, having just obtained her driver's license and looking forward to future endeavors, her presence could light up a room, this according to those that knew her best yet also according to her grieving family.
The Wakeland High School community, where Elizabeth was a sophomore and played soccer, expressed that the school, along with its students and staff, felt the impact deeply; the school will honor her memory during the second period when classes resume, said officials in a letter, and district and campus counselors will be available to meet with those needing support. "Our entire campus community is impacted by this tragedy," the letter from Frisco ISD stated, as stated in the WFAA report.
Elizabeth's soccer coach, Luis Ramos, shared with CBS News Texas his admiration for her leadership qualities and the positivity she brought to the team, "As a coach, she was just blowing me away," Ramos said, "She was a natural leader. She was more than a friend to our teammates. She leaves a lot of sisters behind." Further celebrating Elizabeth's life and legacy, Ramos, who is currently in Puerto Rico, took it upon himself to plant a tamarind tree in her memory and is working with the community to establish a soccer scholarship in her name. In their time of immense loss, Elizabeth's family hopes that by speaking out, her passing may serve as a stark reminder about the perils of vehicle-towed sledding and encourage caution for those seeking winter thrills.
