Texas High School Senior Dies After Sledding Accident

Caden Nowicki's death comes days after two 16-year-old girls died in a separate sledding incident in Frisco, Texas.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:31am

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Caden Nowicki, a 17-year-old high school senior from Ponder, Texas, has died from injuries sustained in a sledding accident on January 26. Nowicki was riding in a kayak being pulled by an ATV when the vehicle flipped him into a fence. His death comes just days after two 16-year-old girls from Frisco, Texas died in a separate sledding accident on January 25.

Why it matters

These tragic sledding incidents highlight the dangers of winter recreational activities and the need for increased safety measures and supervision, especially for teenagers. The back-to-back deaths have shaken the local communities and raised concerns about the risks of sledding and the importance of responsible behavior.

The details

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Nowicki was riding in a kayak being pulled by an ATV when the kayak "left the roadway" and Nowicki was ejected into a fence. The driver of the ATV, 22-year-old Jackson Long, and an 18-year-old passenger, Austin Erickson, were not injured. The previous weekend, two 16-year-old girls from Frisco, Texas, Elizabeth Angle and Grace "Gracie" Brito, died after the sled they were riding on was being pulled by a Jeep and hit a curb, slamming into a tree.

  • On January 26, 2026, Caden Nowicki was involved in a sledding accident around 2:25 pm local time in Ponder, Texas.
  • On January 25, 2026, Elizabeth Angle and Grace "Gracie" Brito were killed in a separate sledding accident in Frisco, Texas.
  • On January 29, 2026, Ponder Independent School District confirmed that Caden Nowicki had died from his injuries.

The players

Caden Nowicki

A 17-year-old high school senior from Ponder, Texas and an inside linebacker for the Ponder Independent School District football team.

Jackson Long

A 22-year-old from Oklahoma who was the driver of the ATV that Nowicki was riding in during the sledding accident.

Austin Erickson

An 18-year-old passenger in the ATV that Nowicki was riding in during the sledding accident.

Elizabeth Angle

A 16-year-old girl from Frisco, Texas who died in a separate sledding accident on January 25, 2026.

Grace "Gracie" Brito

A 16-year-old girl from Frisco, Texas and the best friend of Elizabeth Angle, who also died in the separate sledding accident on January 25, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“With heavy hearts our #44 Caden Nowicki crossed through the gates into our heavenly Fathers arms today.”

— Marcus Schulz, Ponder Independent School District Athletic Director

“We all know God hand selected His inside linebacker at 1:48pm. Please continue to pray for the Nowicki family. Rest Easy & Fly High #44 We Love You Wicki!”

— Marcus Schulz, Ponder Independent School District Athletic Director

What’s next

The Ponder Independent School District and local authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Caden Nowicki's fatal sledding accident.

The takeaway

These tragic sledding incidents serve as a somber reminder of the importance of exercising extreme caution and proper safety measures when engaging in winter recreational activities, especially for young people. The back-to-back deaths have devastated the local communities and highlight the need for increased education and supervision to prevent such heartbreaking accidents in the future.