Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US Greta Cross, USA TODAYThu, January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM UTC 6 Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US At least four children died in sledding accidents over the snowfilled weekend. A 17yearold boy in Benton, Arkansas died on Jan. 24 after he collided with a tree while being pulled on a sled by an allterrain vehicle, according to a Saline County Sheriff's Office news release obtained by USA TODAY.
Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US
Greta Cross, USA TODAYThu, January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM UTC
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Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US
At least four children died in sledding accidents over the snow-filled weekend.
A 17-year-old boy in Benton, Arkansas died on Jan. 24 after he collided with a tree while being pulled on a sled by an all-terrain vehicle, according to a Saline County Sheriff's Office news release obtained by USA TODAY.
The next day, two 16-year-old girls died in Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb, after their sled, pulled by a Jeep Wrangler, also struck a tree, according to Facebook posts made by the Frisco Police Department.
And on Jan. 27, an 11-year-old boy was reported dead after a sledding incident in Staunton, Virginia, The News Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
As of Jan. 29, at least 81 deaths have been reported that are thought to be related to the winter storm or successive freezing temperatures, according to research by USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network.
Snow, ice and freezing rain plummeted much of the country between Jan. 23 and Jan. 26. Now, meteorologists are forecasting another winter storm to strike the East Coast on Saturday, Jan. 31, moving across the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, Feb. 1, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said on Jan. 27. Meteorologists, however, do not expect the upcoming storm to be near the size of last week's.
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Drivers navigate icy conditions on Briley Parkway in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.
Two similar sledding incidents in one weekend
On Saturday, Jan. 24, Saline County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a serious injury involving a 17-year-old boy who had struck a tree while being pulled on a sled by an ATV, the news release states. Emergency responders provided immediate medical assistance, however the boy succumbed to his injuries on site. The incident remains under investigation by the Saline County Sheriff's Office.
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A similar incident happened a day later in Texas.
At around 2:26 p.m. local time on Jan. 25, the Frisco Police Department responded to a call involving a sledding crash. The 16-year-old girls were transported to local hospitals following the incident, and both succumbed to their injuries, the department shared in a series of Facebook posts.
In a Facebook post made on Jan. 28, the Frisco Police Department clarified that there has been no indication of alcohol involvement by the involved teens.
The incident remains an open investigation with assistance from the Denton County District Attorney's Office. The Frisco Police Department cannot share the girls' names because they are minors.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Frisco Police Department at 972-292-6010. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by texting FRISCOPD to 847411 or via the Frisco PD mobile app.
How to stay safe while sledding this winter
The National Safety Council and Nationwide Children's Hospital offer the following advice for staying safe while sledding this winter:
Make sure all sledding equipment is in good condition, without sharp edges and cracks.
Ideally, sleds with steering and hand brake features are best, as they allow for more control than flat sheets, snow discs or innertubes.
For extra protection, wear a snow sports, multi-sport or bicycle helmet.
Sled on spacious, gently-slopped hills with a level run-off so the sled can easily stop.
Check slopes for bare spots, holes and obstructions, like rocks, fences or poles.
Do not sled on or around frozen lakes, streams or ponds.
Sit on top of the sled with feet pointing downhill. Never sled head first.
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sledding accidents lead to 4 children dying, authorities say
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Published: January 30, 2026 at 04:54AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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