Elizabeth “Lizzy” Angle, 16, was identified by family as the teen killed; a close friend remains on life support.
FRISCO, TX — A 16-year-old Frisco student died Sunday afternoon when a sled being towed by a Jeep struck a curb and crashed into a tree in a neighborhood west of Legacy Drive, police and relatives said. The girl, identified by family as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Angle, was taken to a hospital where she died.
Police said the crash happened as rare snow and ice lingered across North Texas, drawing residents outdoors. Angle, a Wakeland High School sophomore and soccer player, was on the sled with another 16-year-old girl when it crashed shortly before 2:30 p.m. near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court, according to authorities. A 16-year-old boy was driving the Jeep that was pulling the sled. The second girl, identified by Angle’s family as Grace, remained hospitalized Monday on life support. The Denton County district attorney’s office is reviewing the case as part of a standard investigation.
Neighbors reported hearing a thud and seeing flashing lights as first responders arrived within minutes. Officers performed life-saving measures before both girls were rushed to area hospitals, police said. Wakeland High School Principal Donna Edge notified families Monday that Angle had died from her injuries and said extra counselors would be on campus when classes resume. “Our entire campus community is impacted by this tragedy,” Edge said in a message to parents. Angle’s mother described her daughter as a “bright light” who had recently earned her driver’s license and loved soccer and time with friends.
Police said preliminary information indicates the sled was being towed northbound when it hit a curb, bounced and slammed into a tree on the parkway. The Jeep Wrangler stopped nearby as neighbors called 911. Investigators interviewed witnesses and collected the sled and tow line as evidence. Officials have not released the names of the driver or the second girl because they are minors. The police department said it would forward its findings to prosecutors to determine whether charges are warranted, as is customary in fatal crashes. Weather conditions at the time included patches of ice and snow left by the weekend storm.
Angle was well known in Frisco soccer circles. She played for Wakeland’s program and for an FC Dallas youth team, coaches said. Teammates described her as a tough defender who encouraged others and stayed late after practice. On Monday, a growing memorial of flowers, candles and orange cones marked the tree along the residential block where the sled stopped. Students left handwritten notes and team wristbands. “Lizzy was fearless on the field and kind off it,” one club coach said. “She made everyone around her better.” The school said a moment of silence would be held during second period when classes resume.
Sunday’s crash followed a weekend winter storm that shut down roads and playgrounds across North Texas. Sledding is uncommon in the region and often improvised on neighborhood streets rather than dedicated hills. Frisco officials noted that being towed on a sled behind a vehicle can be especially dangerous because riders cannot steer or brake. In a statement, the city expressed condolences to the families and said police traffic investigators were handling the case. Neighbors said the street was busier than usual as families tried to enjoy the snow between periods of sleet and freezing drizzle.
Investigators are working to map tire marks, measure distances and reconstruct the path of the sled using data from the scene and witness statements. Police said they are also examining whether speed, traction, tow length or visibility contributed to the crash. The district attorney’s review will follow once the police report is complete. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday morning. Prosecutors commonly consider a range of possibilities in cases involving minors, from no charges to juvenile petitions to criminal filings in adult court, depending on evidence, intent and state law. Any decision is expected after the full reconstruction and interviews are finished.
Angle’s death reverberated through the Frisco Independent School District, where administrators discussed counseling plans and how to support student-athletes. At Wakeland High, teachers rearranged lessons and prepared spaces for small-group conversations led by counselors and social workers. City staff said they were coordinating with the school district to manage increased traffic around the memorial site. Across social media, friends shared photos of Angle in a navy jersey, defending against corner kicks and celebrating sideline jokes. “She had a smile that made you feel seen,” said a classmate who visited the memorial Monday evening.
At the crash site, the tree’s bark showed a fresh scar about knee high. A dusting of snow lingered in the grass along the curb. Residents pointed out the gentle downhill slope on Majestic Gardens Drive where kids have long ridden scooters and skateboards. Several said they had never seen vehicle-towed sleds on the block before this storm. “We heard an engine rev and then a bang,” said Mark Fischer, who lives around the corner. “I looked out and saw neighbors running and someone calling for help.” Others described a wave of quiet afterward as police cordoned off the street and families ushered children indoors.
As of late Monday, the second girl, Grace, remained on life support, according to Angle’s family. The driver was cooperating with investigators, police said. Frisco officers asked anyone who witnessed the crash or has home-security video from the area around 2:30 p.m. Sunday to contact the traffic unit. The next formal update is expected after the department finishes its reconstruction and submits the case file to the district attorney. A memorial service for Angle has not been announced. Her soccer teams plan to honor her in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated January 27, 2026.