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 pal 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 trip on Sunday, the Frisco Police Division confirmed on Fb.
Throughout a pointy flip, the sled slammed in opposition to a curb and careened right into a tree.
The women have been rushed to the hospital, the place Angle was pronounced lifeless. Brito suffered vital accidents within the accident and had been on life help because the crash.
Brito’s household confirmed Tuesday that she had been taken off life help, 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 stunning daughter, Gracie. She was a sort 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 — have been inseparable, longtime greatest pals.
She stated her daughter was a loyal cheerleader and All-Star Athlete at Categorical Dance & Cheer.
“Cheer was her best 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 develop into a pacesetter,” including they have been “fortunate to have had time along with her.”
“We are going to proceed to honor Gracie each manner we will and search for her in every part 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 wanting over us, and we cling to the truth that Gracie is eternally secure and surrounded by peace.”
Angle’s mom advised Fox 4 on Monday that she had solely lately gotten her driver’s license and was wanting to spend a snowy weekend along with her closest pals.
“We are going to 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 ladies 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 can be charged.
Frisco police stated the crash remains to be below investigation, however careworn 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 aware of sharing unverified info, as it might probably add pointless ache to these grieving.”
