Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US
- - Teen girls among 4 children killed in sledding accidents across the US
Greta Cross, USA TODAYJanuary 30, 2026 at 1:48 AM
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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.
Winter weather: US cities face dangerous temps, prolonged outages
winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>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.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lD0Vt2FJ1RmS0xewL5WYgg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7f36ca7d24edbaa4df7587ab016a24a class=caas-img data-headline="Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos" data-caption="
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.
">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.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lD0Vt2FJ1RmS0xewL5WYgg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7f36ca7d24edbaa4df7587ab016a24a class=caas-img>
major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0.y2VLDtk4wJw4C_hfbnsg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/66fbd00798e240a6b9bf226f7708af1d class=caas-img data-headline="See fun faces of people making the best of winter weather" data-caption="
A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.
">A major winter storm is forecast to spread heavy snow, sleet and dangerous ice to tens of millions of Americans across two dozen states starting on Friday and continuing into the weekend.See here, Keith Wilson, of Milwaukee, walks with frozen eyelashes down East State Street in Milwaukee on Jan. 23, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold watch across Wisconsin with windchills between 30 and 40 below zero.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0.y2VLDtk4wJw4C_hfbnsg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/66fbd00798e240a6b9bf226f7708af1d class=caas-img>
Joe Gegelbach loads his trunk with ice melt at the Home Depot as he potential winter storm Evansville, Ind., Jan. 23, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IOUdatPCMrBNRUgF.QtV7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8393b08c57ae813b720f3770d46123ea class=caas-img data-headline="Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos" data-caption="
Joe Gegelbach loads his trunk with ice melt at the Home Depot as he potential winter storm Evansville, Ind., Jan. 23, 2026.
">Joe Gegelbach loads his trunk with ice melt at the Home Depot as he potential winter storm Evansville, Ind., Jan. 23, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IOUdatPCMrBNRUgF.QtV7Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8393b08c57ae813b720f3770d46123ea class=caas-img>Orangetown Highway Department crews load salt on snow plows in preparation for the snow storm at their facility in Orangeburg, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2026.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/P.BL3cUSzWG1YY6dLy.R1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c1efe90d94f642758b9ed0907cf40822 class=caas-img data-headline="Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos" data-caption="
Orangetown Highway Department crews load salt on snow plows in preparation for the snow storm at their facility in Orangeburg, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2026.
">Orangetown Highway Department crews load salt on snow plows in preparation for the snow storm at their facility in Orangeburg, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2026.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/P.BL3cUSzWG1YY6dLy.R1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c1efe90d94f642758b9ed0907cf40822 class=caas-img>
1 / 34Massive winter storm blankets nation. See photos
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.
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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