A 16-year-old Texas cheerleader has died after a freak sledding accident throughout a uncommon winter storm within the Lone Star State, simply days after her rising soccer star greatest good friend was killed within the tragedy.
Grace Brito died Tuesday after she and Elizabeth Angle, 16, hitched a sled to the again of one other teen’s Jeep for a high-speed journey on Sunday, the Frisco Police Division confirmed on Fb.
Throughout a pointy flip, the sled slammed towards a curb and careened right into a tree.
The ladies had been rushed to the hospital, the place Angle was pronounced lifeless. Brito suffered essential accidents within the accident and had been on life assist for the reason that crash.
Brito’s household confirmed Tuesday that she had been taken off life assist, KTVT reported.
“We’re a household of 4 — myself, my husband, Grace, and Emma,” Brito’s mom, Tracy Brito, stated, noting that her different daughter, Emma, is a freshman at Louisiana State College.
“Our household is heartbroken by the lack of our lovely daughter, Gracie. She was a form and beneficiant soul, full of heat, love, and compassion.”
The grieving mom stated her daughter and Angle — a Wakeland Excessive Faculty sophomore who performed junior varsity soccer within the fall and competed for the FC Dallas 2009G membership workforce within the offseason — had been inseparable, longtime greatest associates.
She stated her daughter was a loyal cheerleader and All-Star Athlete at Categorical Dance & Cheer.
“Cheer was her biggest ardour,” Tracy Brito advised the outlet. “She approached the game with self-discipline, dedication, and pleasure.”
In an emotional assertion, Categorical Dance & Cheer stated Brito had “grown as much as turn into a pacesetter,” including they had been “fortunate to have had time together with her.”
“We’ll proceed to honor Gracie each approach we are able to and search for her in the whole lot we do. Her kindness and optimism won’t ever be forgotten, and we’ll maintain her reminiscence near our hearts,” the group advised KTVT.
“Our Categorical household will at all times have a guardian angel trying over us, and we cling to the truth that Gracie is eternally protected and surrounded by peace.”
Angle’s mom advised Fox 4 on Monday that she had solely not too long ago gotten her driver’s license and was desirous to spend a snowy weekend together with her closest associates.
“We’ll by no means be the identical,” she stated.
Investigators stated a 16-year-old boy was driving a Jeep Wrangler that was pulling two ladies on a sled when it struck a curb and slammed right into a tree.
A neighbor who witnessed the moments earlier than the crash, Mark Fischer, stated the Jeep “accelerated actually quick” as the women screamed earlier than disappearing round a nook.
“On ice like this, to be going that quick, a sled can’t cease,” he advised KTVT.
It stays unclear whether or not the 16-year-old driver might be charged.
Frisco police stated the crash continues to be below investigation, however harassed that no alcohol was concerned.
“We additionally need to make clear rumors circulating on-line, all through this complete investigation, there was no indication of alcohol involvement by any of the concerned events,” the division wrote in its assertion Tuesday.
“Please be conscious of sharing unverified info, as it could actually add pointless ache to these grieving.”
